Grit and Growth Business

Action Plan for Episode 3: Your Business Model Might Be the Problem

This Action Plan is designed to help you honestly assess the core structure of your business and identify if it's truly designed for sustainable growth and to support your life. Don't let discomfort stop you from making vital changes. These are concrete, actionable steps you can implement this week.

Your Goal This Week: To gain clarity on your current business model and identify key areas for potential improvement.

THREE GRITTY MOVES TO DIAGNOSE & SHIFT YOUR BUSINESS MODEL:

Move 1: The One-Page Business Model Map

  • Problem: You're working hard, but feel like you're on a treadmill. You lack a clear, concise view of how your business fundamentally operates and makes money.
  • Action: Dedicate 30-60 minutes to sketch your current business model on a single sheet of paper (or a simple digital document).
    • Who do you serve? (Describe your ideal customer/client in detail).
    • What core problem do you solve for them? (What is the key value you deliver?).
    • How do you deliver that solution? (List your main products/services and the general process).
    • How do you get paid? (Hourly, project-based, retainer, subscription, product sales, etc.).
    • What are your biggest recurring costs? (Even rough estimates are fine).
  • Tool: A blank piece of paper and a pen, or a simple text document.
  • Impact: This visual clarity will immediately highlight strengths, weaknesses, and potential bottlenecks in your current model, revealing where you might be unknowingly limiting yourself.

Move 2: Identify Your "Leverage & Recurring Revenue" Gaps

  • Problem: You're constantly trading time for money, making it impossible to scale or take a real break. Income stops when you stop working.
  • Action: Look at your One-Page Business Model Map and answer these questions:
    • Leverage Gap: Where are you *personally* doing repeatable tasks that could be packaged, systematized, or delegated? Can you create a product, a repeatable service package, or a system that allows you to serve more clients or generate more revenue without adding direct, proportional time?
      • Example: Can your hourly consulting become a fixed-price training program? Can your custom builds use standardized components?
    • Recurring Revenue Gap: Is there any way to turn one-time sales into ongoing relationships or predictable income?
      • Example: Can you offer maintenance contracts, subscription services, retainers, or a loyalty program that incentivizes repeat business?
  • Tool: Your One-Page Business Model Map and a brainstorming session.
  • Impact: Exploring these gaps reveals opportunities to create more predictable income streams and reduce your personal dependence on hours-for-dollars, setting the stage for true scalability and freedom.

Move 3: Get Real: Talk to Your Ideal Customers

  • Problem: You're making assumptions about what your customers truly value or what other solutions they might need from you.
  • Action: Reach out to 2-3 of your most ideal, satisfied customers this week.
    • Schedule a brief, informal chat (15-20 minutes).
    • Do NOT try to sell them anything. This is purely for discovery.
    • Ask open-ended questions: "What was your biggest challenge before you hired/bought from me?" "What do you value most about what I provide?" "What other problems are you facing that I might be able to help with?"
    • Listen for clues about ongoing needs, frustrations, or desires that could lead to new services or product offerings.
  • Tool: Phone, video call software, or a simple coffee meeting.
  • Impact: Direct customer feedback is invaluable. It can validate your current model, uncover new revenue streams, and confirm if your proposed model shifts are truly aligned with market demand, reducing wasted effort.

Your Commitment This Week:

I will complete my One-Page Business Model Map.

I will identify at least one Leverage Gap and one Recurring Revenue Gap in my business.

I will have a discovery conversation with at least one ideal customer.

Diagnosing your business model is tough but essential work. You have the grit to build; now let’s make sure you have the right blueprint for true freedom and growth.