What was the catalyst for starting your business? Did you find yourself having to learn a tough lesson or overcome something yourself that you are now passionate about helping others with?
As entrepreneurs, we often share what we most needed to learn ourselves to get to where we are today. But there is a myth that once we've mastered something, we are done with the lessons. The reality is that we often need to revisit and relearn those lessons again, sometimes when we least expect it.
This can cause feelings of imposter syndrome and self-doubt when you find yourself re-experiencing the very thing you help your clients with and are considered an expert at.
But relearning past lessons can also be the push needed to propel your business forward and I think it's time we normalize the natural cycles of relearning that occur, even to the most seasoned experts, instead of hiding them.
In this episode, I explore the ongoing journey of learning and relearning essential lessons as an entrepreneur. I share my own experiences of overcommitting and overworking even though I'm an expert in scaling businesses (without the burnout).
I also highlight how recognizing and addressing recurring challenges with refreshed strategies can significantly impact your business's growth and sustainability including:
- Early recognition when you're falling into old patterns
- How to move quickly through a period of relearning
- How to leverage your experiences to improve client results
- Tools and frameworks to stay focused and avoid overcommitting
- Strategies to prevent burnout and maintain high performance
Tune into Episode 189 of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast or keep reading below.
Why We Teach What We Need to Learn
There’s an old saying that we often teach what we most need to learn ourselves, and of course, there’s a lot of truth in that. Consider why you started your business—many times, it’s because you encountered challenges, found solutions, and now want to help others navigate similar issues.
For example, I have been in situations where I overcommitted, worked too hard, or even burned out. And it is because of these experiences, that I can guide others in streamlining their businesses to avoid these very pitfalls. It’s a constant learning process, and these experiences drive us to develop effective systems and strategies that benefit both our clients and ourselves.
The Cycle of Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn
As we all know, learning is not a one-time event and we may find ourselves relearning lessons we thought we had mastered. This ongoing cycle—learning, unlearning, and relearning—allows us to navigate challenges with more confidence and agility. Just as muscles grow stronger with repeated exercise, our ability to handle setbacks improves each time we revisit and reinforce these lessons.
Recognizing Overcommitment
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new projects, but overcommitment can quickly lead to burnout. Recently, I found myself slipping back into the habit of taking on too much. Launching a new division while managing a full client roster reminded me of the importance of boundaries. Even with the best systems in place, it’s crucial to recognize when you’ve reached your limit and take steps to recalibrate.
Balancing Passion with Prioritization
Passion drives us, but it can also lead to overextension. Saying 'no' to projects that excite you is difficult but necessary. Tools like my CHuCK framework and Waste Guide can help you prioritize effectively, ensuring that you focus on what truly matters without spreading yourself too thin.
Final Thoughts
Perfection isn’t the goal; progress is. We all have moments where we need to relearn and adjust. Sharing these experiences isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a testament to our commitment to continuous growth. If you find yourself overcommitted, take a step back, reassess, and use the tools at your disposal to streamline your efforts.
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by Crista Grasso
Crista Grasso is the go-to strategic planning expert for leading global businesses and online entrepreneurs when they want to scale. Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through noise and focus on optimizing the core things that will make the biggest impact to scale a business simply and sustainably. She specializes in helping businesses gain clarity on the most important things that will drive maximum value for their clients and maximum profits for their business. She is the creator of the Lean Out Method, 90 Day Lean Out Planner, and host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast.
