Knowing where to focus your limited time and energy is hands-down one of the trickiest parts of running a business.

You and I both know there's no shortage of things you could do. But you only have 24 hours in a day—and sleep is *kinda* important.

So you find yourself asking: which tasks will move the needle most? What's going to get the best results for the time you invest?

To help you out, I've created a rough guide of where to focus based on your stage of business.

Stage 1: Getting it off the ground

This is the stage where you're still fairly new to business, and your biggest priority is getting clients through the door.

Key things to focus on in this stage:

• Your business model.
• Your niche and value proposition—in other words, who do you serve, and why should they work with you over anyone else?
• Delivering an epic experience for your clients.
• Build your authority by sharing thought leadership content regularly.

Stage 2: The messy middle

This is the stage where you're making a comfortable income, but you either (a) want to make a bigger income or (b) want to work fewer hours without sacrificing any income.

Key things to focus on in this stage:

1. Your business model (because the business model that got you here probably won't be the same one that gets you to the next level).
2. Creating systems and processes—and automating what can be automated to free up your time.
3. Building structure in your business. Winging it might've got you to this level, but to create freedom, you need structure.
4. Starting to hire a team so you can get things off your plate and focus on the things that light you up.

Stage 3: Sustainably scaling

This is the stage where your business is giving you the lifestyle and balance you need, and it's meeting your financial goals. Now it's a matter of growing it in a way that feels flowy and sustainable.

Key things to focus on in this stage:

1. Your business model (because the business model that got you here probably won't be the same one that gets you to the next level).
2. Growing your team with the right people.
3. Reaching more people. Now that you're making sales and you've streamlined the delivery process, it's time to double down and get your offers in front of more people.
4. Your zone of genius—the thing that only you can do in your business. For me, that's content creation and showing up to teach my students.

Of course, there are hundreds of other things I could add to these lists—but that wouldn't be very helpful because you can't focus on that many things.

XO