This article isn’t just for company owners with dozens of employees. It’s also for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs, as you’re running a business too, whether it’s on your own or with a team.
As a company owner, I know how valuable every minute is. Sometimes, finding just a few more hours for sleep, rest, or family feels like a struggle—but that’s business, right? What if I told you it doesn’t have to be? Business shouldn’t take more than it gives. After all, it’s your business—why let it become a burden?
The key is balance. A well-balanced life gives you the energy to face the daily challenges of running a company. We’ve all read about Elon Musk working 80-120 hours a week for years. While impressive, I can’t imagine such a routine without sacrificing family life or health. While I can’t speak for Elon, I can speak for myself—I’d opt for a long, healthy life and still reach my goals without sacrificing my well-being.
There are other ways to achieve great things while still living a full, meaningful life. Success doesn’t have to come at the cost of everything else. Balance is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for sustainable growth and happiness.
I bet you’d love to have more freedom. The freedom to hop on a plane and, in the same day, be surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean or the quiet majesty of the mountains and contemplate the majestic nature in all its glory as a reminder of how incredible life can be. Freedom that comes from cutting off the routine and doing everything that doesn’t require your physical presence, online. By that, I mean accounting, calls, meetings — even when you’re in the same city. Here are few examples.
If your accountant still insists on weekly in-person visits, going along with it only reinforces their mistaken belief that most things need to be done offline. By doing this, you’re choosing their priorities over your own. Why should you? If it is not a problem and is not a big deal for you now, imagine doing the same when you will have 10x or 20x more employees. How big of a deal will that be in that case? If they don’t work the way you’d like, find another one. Search online for an accountant or company that meets your needs, even if it takes a bit longer to find the right fit. In the end, working with the right people will save you time, energy, and money. Prepare yourself for future growth. When you’re growing, you won’t have time to change important parts of your business—do it now.
Things like signing agreements or paying salaries can also be done online by you or your assistant, without wasting time traveling to an office. Start using cloud storage and e-signature. Depending on the size of your city, such actions cost you exponentially more time and energy compared to handling them remotely. Just think — what could you achieve with all that extra time and energy? How many valuable things for your future could you focus on if you freed yourself from these unnecessary trips? You’ve done things this way a thousand times before, but it’s not efficient anymore.
Having been running a software development company for years, I’ve worked with many amazing clients. While I haven’t met most of them face-to-face, our relationships have been exceptional. If I have a chance to meet my client in person, I’d love to take the opportunity to connect, share energy and develop a stronger business connection. With clients spread across different countries and continents, there’s no need for constant travel when we can handle everything online. We’ve developed strong connections through online communication, customized to our specific locations. Things that can be done online should be done online.
As a company owner, I also prefer to work from places that I find comfortable. If I don’t feel like going to the office, I work from home or a cozy café. Sometimes, I work from a hut in the mountains or, when traveling, from a hotel room. This flexibility doesn’t break things—it does the opposite. It gives me more energy, which directly benefits my company. What’s good for me is good for my business. It’s a win-win from all sides.
The key is transforming your daily routine based on three factors: the area of business you’re in, the locations you operate from, and the people you work with. For instance, why not rethink how you handle tasks like hiring? Instead of sticking to limited local talent pools, go global, find remote experts in large cities or abroad, and collaborate with ease. You’ll not only gain access to better skill sets but also save time on training, as these pros come ready to deliver.
Or consider marketing—are you stuck on physical methods like flyers or offline networking events? Redirect that effort into digital campaigns or social media strategies. These tools let you target a specific audience and operate efficiently without stepping out of your workspace.
Another key point to not waste time is to set boundaries. Just because something can be done online doesn’t mean you should always be available. Your time is precious. Use scheduling tools like Google Calendar and Calendly, plan meetings ahead. Allocate specific blocks for focused work, and avoid back-and-forth messaging during critical hours. This creates an environment of respect for your time and helps you stay productive without distractions on things that in most cases, can be solved without you. Your task as a business owner is to lead the company towards the goals set by you. You are not serving this company; the company is serving you. That was the goal of starting your company. Remember?
Ultimately, the decision to let go of traditional methods depends on your willingness to change your life for the better. Shift your mindset, focus on what brings you results, and stop wasting time. The freedom and growth you’ll experience are worth every adjustment you make.