Knowing When You’re In Over Your Head in Business ~ Christine McIver
As entrepreneurs, we all have that moment when we feel like we’re drowning. You’ve likely felt it – when the overwhelm becomes too much, and you ask yourself, “How did I get here?” Maybe that’s where you are now – you’ve been pushing yourself harder than ever, trying to juggle every task, but something doesn’t feel right. You’re not making the progress you expected, and the stress is starting to weigh you down.
I’ve been there, and I know what it’s like to feel stuck and unsure of what to do next. But the first step to getting back on track is acknowledging when you’re in over your head. It’s okay to admit that you need help – it doesn’t make you any less of an entrepreneur. In fact, recognizing when you’re overwhelmed is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
When you’re in over your head, you’ll start to see the signs. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by endless tasks that keep piling up with no clear way forward. Maybe your financials aren’t adding up the way you thought they would. You’re working harder than ever but feel like you’re not moving forward. This is a red flag, and it’s time to take a step back.
A big mistake many entrepreneurs make is convincing themselves that they have to do everything on their own. When we first start out, we wear all the hats – marketing, sales, accounting, you name it. But there’s a difference between being hands-on and being buried. I know from experience that the more you take on, the more you risk losing sight of what really matters – your core business and your expertise.
The truth is, you don’t have to know how to do everything. If you’re spending more than 50% of your time on non-revenue-generating tasks, you’re in over your head. You have to learn to delegate. There are people out there who are great at what you’re not. I once tried to do everything myself, from accounting to social media, and it cost me time, energy, and money. Once I let go and brought in experts, my business started to thrive.
So, how do you know when you’re in over your head? Look at the signs. If your task list keeps growing but you can’t check things off fast enough, you’re likely stuck. If you can’t manage your day-to-day, including emails, or if your expenses are higher than your revenue, you’re in over your head. And most importantly, if you’re doing work that’s not your expertise, it’s time to ask for help.
It’s easy to feel like you should do it all yourself, but that mentality only leads to burnout. You have a responsibility to yourself, your business, and your clients to stay in your lane and let others handle what you’re not great at. I’m here to tell you: asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s the key to unlocking your business’s full potential.