Rediscovering the Joy in Your Business: Why It’s Your Business and You Can Do What You Want
As business owners, we often start our journeys fueled by passion and excitement. We love what we do so much that we take the leap to build a business around it. But what happens when the joy starts to fade? What do you do when the thing you once loved becomes a source of stress, frustration, or even dread?
In this post, we’ll explore how to rediscover joy in your business, the power of delegation, and why leveraging your team effectively is key to creating a business you love.
The Problem: Burnout and Frustration
Imagine waking up one day and realizing you no longer want to show up for your business. The thought of answering emails, managing social media, or even looking at your bank statements feels overwhelming. You’re not alone. Many business owners find themselves in this situation, often because they’ve lost sight of why they started their business in the first place.
For some, the issue lies in taking on tasks that don’t align with their strengths or passions. For others, it’s a matter of control—reluctance to delegate or trust others to take on responsibilities. Whatever the cause, the result is the same: a business owner who feels disconnected from their business.
Gary Vee’s Perspective and the Misinterpretation of Servant Leadership
Gary Vaynerchuk, a well-known entrepreneur and speaker, often says that “bosses work for their employees.” While the sentiment is rooted in servant leadership—the idea that leaders should enable their teams to succeed—it’s often misinterpreted. Some employees may take this to mean that they are in charge, leading to blurred boundaries and a lack of accountability.
As a business owner, your role is to care for your team by making tough decisions, setting clear boundaries, and providing the resources they need to excel. This doesn’t mean doing everything for them or abdicating your authority. It means fostering a culture of support, clarity, and mutual respect.
The Power of Delegation
One of the most effective ways to regain control and joy in your business is through delegation. Here are three key steps to start delegating effectively:
Identify Tasks to Delegate: Ask yourself which tasks are taking up most of your time, don’t align with your strengths, or don’t bring you joy.
Find the Right People: Whether it’s hiring an assistant, outsourcing to a contractor, or leveraging your existing team, find people who excel in the areas you struggle with.
Let Go of Control: Trust your team to take ownership of their responsibilities. This can be challenging, but it’s essential for creating a sustainable business.
Real-Life Example: Resetting Boundaries
I once worked with a business owner who felt completely overrun by their team. Despite having an agenda for team meetings, the employees—each acting as their own “mini CEO”—would derail the discussions. The owner’s well-intentioned attempts at collaboration had backfired, creating an environment where employees felt they had more authority than the business owner.
To address this, we hit the reset button:
Rewrote Job Descriptions: Clarified roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
Set Clear Boundaries: Established new communication norms and decision-making processes.
Rebuilt Trust: The owner openly acknowledged past mistakes and committed to a new way forward.
Six months later, the business was thriving. The owner had regained control and was enjoying their business again.
Moving Back to Your Passion
Every business owner has a unique “why”—the reason they started their business. Often, the solution to burnout is reconnecting with that purpose. Delegating operational tasks allows you to focus on the aspects of your business that you love and are uniquely qualified to handle.
If you’re feeling stuck, here are some steps to get started:
Ask for Help: Whether it’s hiring a fractional COO, joining an entrepreneur group, or seeking mentorship, don’t hesitate to lean on others for support.
Reevaluate Your Priorities: What tasks energize you? Which ones drain you? Adjust your focus accordingly.
Build a Team You Trust: Surround yourself with people who can help you achieve your vision while freeing you to do what you do best.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
If you’ve fallen out of love with your business, know that you’re not alone. Every entrepreneur faces challenges, but with the right strategies and support, it’s possible to turn things around. Remember, it’s your business—you can do what you want.
Need help rediscovering the joy in your business? Schedule a consultation today to see how I can help. Together, we’ll create a plan that aligns with your goals and gets you back to loving your business.
Ready to Take the Next Step? Schedule a consultation or connect with me on Instagram at @melissa_franks.
