I’m Working Non-Stop, But I’m Still Stuck—Here’s How I’m Changing That
aka Throwing Spaghetti at the Wall Isn’t a Strategy
I’m working non-stop, but I’m not Aligning, and I’m not Thriving. Something needs to change and fast!
When Hard Work Stops Working
It’s not just the hours I’m working—it’s that whenever inspiration hits, I drop everything and dive in. I do take breaks and live my life to some extent, but when I’m home, I’m almost always focused on building my future thriving empire. Only… at what cost?
Spaghetti on the Wall Isn’t a Strategy
The problem? I’m throwing spaghetti at the wall, hoping one of my brilliant ideas turns into actual revenue. But I’m starting to realize—it’s not just my strategy that’s off, it’s my expectations.
I only decided on this business a short time ago and officially opened the doors just three weeks ago. Since then, I’ve been working non-stop, testing different ways to land referrals, clients, and digital product sales. $700 in six weeks proves that my business has potential. But working at this pace isn’t a sustainable way to grow it.
My instinct as a bootstrapping solopreneur is to do everything myself. But the truth? Success isn’t about doing it all, it’s about knowing what to outsource so you can focus on your genius. I’m great with data. I’m pragmatic, inquisitive, and a doer. These are strengths that serve me well as a small business consultant and bookkeeper, helping business owners save time and money.
But none of that makes me great at marketing.
The Big Realization: I Need Expert Support
This hit me the other day when a lawyer-friend-client started asking detailed questions about her books. As I considered her struggles, I realized, I wouldn’t expect a lawyer to master Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
So why am I trying to master marketing?
Just like Margaret relies on expert support for her bookkeeping, I need expert support to market a brand-new business.
The Decision: Investing in Marketing
This is where my decision to hire a Marketing Strategist comes in. I’ve already proven I’m not in immediate financial danger—so why let my money sit in the bank when it could be building revenue? Investing in expert support means getting a clear strategy instead of wasting time on trial and error.
Now, it’s time to stop throwing spaghetti at the wall and rethink how I spend my time so I can Align & Thrive TODAY—not someday.
What Aligning & Thriving Looks Like
More Fun & Exploration – I’m in NYC, a city I love—for now. Instead of being glued to my laptop, I should be out exploring, enjoying, and deepening friendships before I step into my next chapter as a digital nomad. These moments matter, and it’s time to prioritize them.
Better Boundaries – My self-care and Spanish practice have taken a backseat to impulsive business experiments. But Aligning & Thriving means honoring long-term goals, not just chasing the next idea. I need to protect the habits that keep me grounded.
Trusting the Process – I’ve built a solid foundation, and I have a clear strategy to move forward. Now, my job is patience. Instead of obsessing over growth, I need to focus on what’s in front of me—serving my current and potential clients. The rest will come.
With this in mind, here’s how I’m shifting my time and energy
Action Plan: The Next Right Steps
Hiring a Marketing Strategist – Reviewing proposals to find the best fit, someone who understands my business, goals, and strengths, and has the expertise to fill the gaps so I can build sustainable success.
Prioritizing High-Value Work – Focusing on client work, prospect calls, networking, and following expert guidance on what truly moves the needle for long-term business growth.
Keeping Passion Projects Joyful – Align & Thrive and Healthy Experiments are creative outlets, not obligations. If I’m not feeling it one week, I give myself permission to pause because passion should fuel me, not drain me.
While this post is about my struggles in starting a business and realizing I need expert help, the bigger theme, doing too much and not leaning on others, is something many of us face.
Have you been through this? What helped you break the cycle? Or are you still figuring it out? Let’s strategize together and hold each other accountable to Align & Thrive—every day.
Let’s keep the conversation going—join my subscriber chat!
💛 Enjoyed this post? Let me know by tapping the 💜 (heart) button. It helps more than you know!
☕ Feeling generous? You can support my work (or fuel my caffeine addiction) on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit means the world!
Great minds think alike! I'd just written a post on a similar topic: https://trailblazingtwenties.substack.com/p/a-self-help-myth-when-try-harder
I enjoyed finding this post and reading someone who'd thought about something similar.