Do your business results ever leave you feeling like you're on a roller coaster?
You want to create a stable and predictable business that avoids burnout and minimizes constant stress.
So how do you scale your business without burning out?
In this episode, I explore the concept of sustainable scaling and break down the two key components of building a business that grows without leading to burnout: sustainable results and a sustainable pace. I discuss how many entrepreneurs get caught up chasing what's "new"—new ideas, tools, or strategies—that may offer short-term wins but don't create lasting stability.
I also highlight the importance of maintaining a sustainable pace in business operations. While periods of intense work, like during a launch, are sometimes necessary, it's crucial to recognize when these bursts of effort become the norm rather than the exception.
Whether it's systematizing processes to eliminate redundancy or ensuring tasks align with your zone of genius, finding a sustainable rhythm is essential for you and your team.
In this week's episode of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast, I share the two key elements to do so successfully including:
- Why consistency is key when you want lasting results
- How chasing new ideas can sabotage your scaling efforts
- The importance of a sustainable work pace for both you and your team
- Why a predictable business model leads to long-term success
- Practical tips on planning and systems to support sustainable scaling
Tune into Episode 198 of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast or keep reading below.
The Two Core Essentials: Sustainable Results and a Sustainable Pace
Sustainable scaling revolves around two critical factors: sustainable results and a sustainable pace. These two components ensure your business runs efficiently and help you avoid burnout. Let’s break each of these down.
1. Sustainable Results: Building a Stable Foundation
A lot of entrepreneurs get caught up in pursuing short-term gains, whether it’s chasing the next big opportunity or responding to immediate revenue needs. While this might lead to quick wins, it often results in unpredictable growth. Sustainable results are what provide the stability you need to create a reliable revenue stream.
One of the main reasons businesses fail to achieve sustainable results is the constant pursuit of new tools and tactics. It’s tempting to chase after the latest trends, but this can lead to inconsistency. Instead, focus on amplifying what’s already working. True scaling comes from refining successful strategies, not constantly introducing new ones.
Consistency is the foundation of sustainable results. By sticking to proven methods and making gradual improvements, you can create lasting success. While this approach may seem less exciting than trying out new ideas, it’s what helps businesses stay stable in the long term. With a strong foundation, you’re in a much better position to explore new opportunities without disrupting what you’ve already built.
2. Sustainable Pace: Achieving Balance
In addition to focusing on sustainable results, maintaining a sustainable pace is key to long-term success. There will be times when your workload increases—especially during key projects or launches—but keeping that level of intensity going over time simply isn’t realistic.
Take my current experience with the launch of the Strategic Ops Institute. Right now, I’m working more than usual, and while this phase is exciting, I know that it’s temporary. Once the launch is complete, I’ll need to adjust back to a more sustainable pace.
This principle applies to your business as well. It’s important to recognize the natural ebb and flow of your workload, knowing when to push hard and when to pull back. You need to balance periods of intense focus with time for recovery to avoid long-term burnout.
And don’t forget your team. It’s easy to delegate tasks, thinking you’ve found balance, but this can sometimes lead to your team being overloaded. A sustainable pace isn’t just about you; it’s about making sure everyone in the organization is working at a manageable rate.
Systems and Planning: The Backbone of Sustainability
The key to maintaining both sustainable results and a sustainable pace is having strong systems and planning in place. Without the right systems, you can end up in reactive mode, constantly responding to emergencies instead of proactively managing your business. Proper planning allows you and your team to stay ahead of potential challenges, ensuring you don’t end up overwhelmed.
Focus on What Matters
Ultimately, sustainable scaling is about focusing on what truly drives your business forward. Set clear, achievable goals—preferably no more than three per quarter—and avoid the temptation to pursue too many objectives at once.
The key to long-term success lies in consistency. It’s the small, repeated actions that lead to sustainable growth, so stay focused on the strategies that align with your long-term vision. Resist the distractions of new tactics or tools unless they provide measurable improvements that directly support your core business goals.
For access to the workbook that accompanies this episode and all recent solo podcast episodes, sign up for our weekly newsletter at leanoutmethod.com/insider.
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.
