From Survival Mode to CEO Mode: Why CEO Time Is the Missing Piece
Running a business can feel like a constant juggling act. One minute you’re answering emails, the next you’re dealing with customer service issues, and before you know it, your entire day is gone.
You’ve been busy all day—but did anything you worked on actually grow your business?
This is survival mode. You’re caught up in the daily grind, working hard to keep everything running, but you’re stuck in reactive mode instead of focusing on intentional growth.
The longer you stay in survival mode, the harder it becomes to break free. But here’s the good news: The shift into CEO mode starts with one simple change—CEO Time.
What Is CEO Time?
CEO Time is a non-negotiable block of time you schedule every week to focus on strategy, growth, and high-level decisions.
It’s not for catching up on admin tasks or checking off to-do lists. It’s for reviewing your business, identifying opportunities, and making the kind of decisions that move your business forward.
When used consistently, CEO Time helps you:
✔ Reclaim control of your schedule
✔ Step out of the day-to-day grind
✔ Start running your business with intention
✔ Focus on what really matters—growth and strategy
How CEO Time Helps You Escape Survival Mode
Most business owners are stuck in operator mode, focusing on tasks like bookkeeping, scheduling, or putting out fires. CEO Time pulls you out of that reactive state and gives you the space to shift into strategic mode.
Here’s what happens when you make CEO Time a priority:
1️⃣ You Take Back Control
Instead of reacting to every little thing, you gain control over how you spend your time. This is your opportunity to plan your week, review your goals, and focus on what will actually grow your business.
2️⃣ You Identify What Needs to Be Delegated, Automated or Outsourced
Once you commit to CEO Time, you’ll start to notice patterns. You’ll see exactly where your time is being wasted and which tasks need to be delegated or automated.
3️⃣ You Build Momentum
When you spend intentional time thinking like a CEO, you’ll start making smarter decisions. With each week of consistent CEO Time, you’ll build momentum and start seeing the results in your business.
How to Structure Your CEO Time
Ready to take action? Here’s a simple framework to help you get started with CEO Time.
Step 1: Review Your Financials
Look at your sales, expenses, and key metrics for the week. Understanding your numbers is critical if you want to make informed business decisions.
Step 2: Set Your Priorities
Identify the top three actions that will help move your business forward this week. These should be high-impact tasks—not admin work.
Step 3: Plan for Growth
Use part of your CEO Time to think about opportunities for growth. This could be expanding your services, launching a new product, or exploring a new marketing strategy.
Step 4: Focus on Your Team
Think about your current team and where you might need additional support. Hiring the right people is a critical part of stepping into CEO mode.
Avoid the CEO Time Trap
One common mistake I see business owners make is using CEO Time as a catch-up session for everything they didn’t get to during the week. That’s not what CEO Time is for.
CEO Time is about high-level thinking and growth, not cleaning out your inbox or reconciling accounts. If you use this time strategically, you’ll start seeing results fast.
The Costliest Mistake You Can Make? A Bad Hire
Speaking of building the right team, nothing will slow your progress faster than a bad hire. One wrong person can cost you months of lost time, wasted money, and a whole lot of frustration!
That’s why I created “5 Costly Hiring Mistakes Small Business Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them).”
Inside, I'll show you:
- How to avoid the hiring mistakes you don't even know you're making
- Why hiring fast is a disaster waiting to happen
- The secret to finding candidates who actually stick around
- How to set expectations so you don't end up babysitting adults
- Plus, my plug-and-play job description template to make hiring way easier as a BONUS and thank you for sticking around!
Ready to Build a Business That Works Without You?
CEO Time is the first step toward getting out of survival mode and reclaiming your time. When you shift your focus from daily operations to high-level strategy, everything changes. I mean EVERYTHING!
Interested in working together to take this shift even further? Heads up...my coaching prices are going up on March 1st, but any pre-approval submitted before that date will lock in the current rate—even if we start later! Payment plans are also available!
I cannot wait to work with you to help you change your life!
