Just last month, three different founders came to me.
Each had everything needed for growth:
Clear vision. Great potential. Ready to invest.
But they all ended our conversations the same way:
“I’ll come back when I have more time.”
After hundreds of conversations with founders, here’s the painful truth I’ve discovered:
These talented entrepreneurs are avoiding the very work that would give them the time they need.
It’s the single biggest roadblock to scaling.
The Growth Paradox
Founders believe pushing harder and working longer will get them a breakthrough.
But the path to scaling isn’t through more hours.
The first crucial step is transforming how you operate and lead.
If you’re working long hours, can’t take a day off without 10 calls from work, your team is at capacity — you know something needs to change.
Here’s the paradox that every founder must face:
Waiting to have more time before working on growth is like waiting to be fit before going to the gym.
It doesn’t work that way.
You’ll never have more time until you change how you operate.
How James Broke Free
James was like most of the founders I’ve worked with.
70-hour weeks. Team of 12. Every decision needed his input.
Our first call was a year back. And it ended with a predictable response: “I need to get through this quarter’s projects first.”
Three months later, he called back.
- His biggest client threatening to leave
- His best employee had resigned
- His workload had doubled
But something had shifted.
He was angry. Not at me. At himself.
“I’m never getting more time — unless I start running things differently,” he said.
We started that week.
The transformation was systematic, not drastic. He was still running operations, still serving clients, still leading his team.
But through focused changes in how he operated, everything shifted:
- By Week 1: He spotted what was holding him back
- By Week 6: His team handled 50% of all the decisions
- By Month 3: Operations ran smoothly without his constant input
- By Month 6: Revenue was on track to double, team grew from 12 to 20
Today, James works 45 hours a week and leads strategically instead of reactively.
Most importantly? He’s become the CEO his business needed him to be.
What Actually Works
Every successful founder I’ve worked with faced the same challenge: Transforming their role while running a busy business.
Most start by trying familiar solutions:
- Hiring more people
- Working longer hours
- Delegating haphazardly
- Implementing random productivity hacks
But these are band-aids. They don’t address the root cause.
The path to breakthrough requires three fundamental shifts:
1. From Doing to Leading
They stop being the best executors and become a strategic decision-makers.
2. From Input to Outcomes
They focus on driving results, not managing daily tasks.
3. From Busyness to Leverage
They build systems that maximize their impact.
Transformation doesn’t require disrupting your business.
It requires changing how you operate within it.
They don’t wait for more time. They don’t just work harder. They systematically change how they lead.
Your First Step
Want to know how James started his transformation?
With one simple exercise that changed everything.
For the next 7 days, observe these three patterns:
1. Decisions
Note every time you make a decision that:
- Someone else could make
- You’ve made before
- Doesn’t truly need your input
2. Information
Track when you’re:
- Answering the same questions repeatedly
- Sharing knowledge that could be documented
- Being the go-to person for basic information
3. Problems
Notice when you’re:
- Solving recurring issues
- Handling predictable challenges
- Fighting the same fires
Don’t change anything yet. Just observe.
This exercise will open your eyes to:
- Where your time actually goes
- What’s keeping you stuck in operations
- Opportunities for systematic change
What’s Coming Next?
Next week, I’m sharing something special.
I’ve spent months developing a systematic approach that helps founders make this exact transition — from overwhelmed operator to strategic CEO.
It’s built for founders exactly in your situation.
But for now, start with the observation exercise above.
The patterns you discover will be eye-opening.
Thank you for being here; I will see you next Thursday.
Surabhi
P.S. I’m curious: Which of these resonates most with your current situation?
- Constant firefighting is eating up your time
- Growth plans keep getting pushed to “someday”
- Worried stepping back might make things worse
Hit reply with just the number (1, 2, or 3).
Your response will help shape what I share next week.
More Resource(s):
What I’m Reading:
Poor Charlie’s Almanack
Charlie Munger’s wisdom boils down to one thing: mental models matter more than raw intelligence. And he built many.
One gem? Invert, always invert.
Instead of asking, “How do I succeed?”
Ask, “What would guarantee failure?” — then avoid those mistakes.
A game-changer for founders who want to make smarter decisions faster.
This book is a long read, and I’m taking my time with it over the next few weeks. I’ll share more lessons next week.
