Stop Getting Stuck
How to Keep Your Business Moving Forward
This morning, while reading The Art of War, I came across this passage: “Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.”
It made me think about how often this happens in small businesses. As owners, we pour our time, energy, and money into projects, but when they drag on too long, they start to feel like quicksand—pulling us deeper without delivering results. Whether it’s launching a new product, solving a lingering issue, or expanding into a new market, long delays can drain resources and wear down morale.
The solution? Focus on quick, decisive wins that keep your business moving forward. Let’s look at how you can do that.
The Hidden Costs of Getting Stuck
Wasting Precious Resources
In small business, time, money, and energy aren’t just resources—they’re lifelines. When a project drags on too long, it’s like pouring water into a leaky bucket.
Example: Imagine your bakery decides to offer fully customizable wedding cakes. You spend months testing recipes, training staff, and marketing the service. Meanwhile, your best-selling cookies—what your customers know and love—are neglected, and the added complexity overwhelms your team.
The Toll on Morale
Prolonged struggles can sap not just your energy but also the motivation of your team. When you and your team start to feel stuck, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Example: You promise your staff that launching a new catering service will be a turning point, but after months of overtime with no meaningful results, enthusiasm dwindles. Team members start to feel disillusioned, and you find yourself questioning whether the effort was worth it.
Financial Strain
When efforts fail to deliver results on time, the financial ripple effects can disrupt even the best-laid plans.
Example: Your bakery invests heavily in new equipment for a holiday cake line, expecting to launch before the festive season. But delays mean you’re left scrambling to cover payroll, rent, and ingredient costs while waiting for sales that never come.
How to Win Quickly Without Wasting Resources
Start with Clear Objectives
Every project needs a clear destination. Without one, it’s easy to wander off course, burning time and energy along the way.
Example: Instead of setting a vague goal like “increase sales,” aim for something specific: selling 50 holiday cookie gift boxes by December 15. A clear, measurable goal helps you focus and rally your team around a shared outcome.
Keep It Small and Simple
Testing a small version of an idea lets you make progress quickly while minimizing risk.
Example: Instead of rolling out a full catering menu, start with simple snack platters for local meetings. Gauge demand, gather feedback, and refine the concept before committing fully.
Play to Your Strengths
Leverage what’s already working in your business. Building on strengths lets you act quickly while staying aligned with what your customers love most.
Example: If your chocolate chip cookies are your signature item, create a seasonal variation like cranberry-white chocolate for the holidays. By building on a proven favorite, you’re staying true to your brand while delivering something fresh.
Empowering Your Team to Act Quickly
Delegation plays a critical role in achieving swift victories. If every decision requires your input, you risk bottlenecking progress. That said, delegation doesn’t mean stepping away completely—it’s about creating clear boundaries and empowering your team to act decisively when needed.
Empower with Guidelines
Give your team the tools and authority to handle routine decisions on their own, freeing you to focus on higher-level priorities.
Example: Give your bakery staff the authority to approve custom orders under $100 on the spot, while directing larger, more complex requests to you for review. This keeps things moving without compromising quality or oversight.
Stay Involved Where It Counts
Check in regularly to ensure the big picture stays on track without micromanaging the details.
Example: If your manager is handling holiday staffing, meet weekly to review the schedule and troubleshoot potential issues before they escalate. These check-ins keep everyone aligned without slowing progress.
By empowering your team strategically, you create a balance that keeps operations efficient while giving you the space to focus on what matters most.
Practical Steps to Keep Moving Toward Victory
- Define Your Victory
Start by writing down exactly what success looks like. Be specific and measurable—whether it’s hitting a revenue target, completing a rollout, or gaining 10 new customers. - Streamline Processes
Look for one bottleneck in your workflow and fix it.
Example: If tracking pre-orders slows you down every holiday season, set up an automated system to save time and reduce errors. - Test Before Committing
Start small to minimize risk while learning what works.
Example: Launch a limited batch of a new product or pilot a service with a few loyal customers before rolling it out to everyone. - Empower Your Team
Identify one decision you can delegate today and set clear boundaries to help your team act confidently within their role.
Aim for Momentum, Not Perfection
Sun Tzu’s words remind us that prolonged efforts can dull our energy, focus, and resources. The same is true in business—projects that drag on too long sap the very momentum we need to succeed.
But aiming for quick, decisive wins doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or stability. It’s about finding clarity, making decisions, and moving forward with purpose.
This week, take a close look at where you’re stuck. What’s one step you can take to streamline, delegate, or simplify? And where are the opportunities to focus on wins that build momentum instead of draining it? Even small, thoughtful actions can lead to meaningful results—and keep your business moving forward.
