There's a moment every business owner hits. That point where you stare at your overflowing to-do list and think, "I have no idea where to start or what I'm doing." You started with passion! A vision to serve, create, and make an impact. But somewhere along the way, things got… messy. You're juggling a million tasks – marketing, content, client work, admin, sales – all while trying to just breathe. The problem? No matter how hard you work, it feels like you're constantly playing catch-up. You know you're busy, but are you actually moving forward?
If you feel like you're spinning in cycles, you're not alone. Most business owners aren't struggling because they lack drive, willpower, or skill. They're struggling because they lack clarity.
That's exactly how Mel felt, my amazing client zero. She poured her heart and soul into her business, helping people transform their lives. She was passionate, knowledgeable, and had huge dreams. But growing her business? Felt impossible.
The "I Need a Plan" Trap
Before we met, like many, Mel thought she needed a perfect plan before she could move forward. She told herself, "Once I figure out my strategy, then I'll start creating content, launching offers, and growing my audience." So she waited. Mel spent months tweaking her website, endlessly revising her Instagram bio, and rewriting her messaging—again and again. Signed up for courses and downloaded templates, hoping for that magic bullet. So she waited for the "ready" moment—a moment that never came.
When chaos reigns, our instinct is, "I need a plan!" Plans bring order, predictability. But here's the truth. It's not a lack of planning that keeps people stuck. It's the fear of moving forward without a ‘perfect’ plan. How many times have you:
- Spent hours crafting the perfect strategy, but never actually started?
- Delayed launching because you felt it wasn't "ready"?
- Signed up for another course hoping that would provide the missing direction?
- Tweaked your website, social media, messaging endlessly, without actually putting yourself out there?
We trick ourselves into needing more time, more structure, more information. The reality? We just need to start taking small, intentional steps—even when things feel unclear.
Mel's past situation is incredibly common. As I said, when things feel chaotic we instinctively think, "I just need a plan. I need to know what I need to do." But what’s actually happening? We’re convincing ourselves we need more clarity before starting. We delay action, fearing mistakes. And stay in learning mode, hoping the next strategy will be ‘the one’.
The Real Problem: You're Carrying Too Much
Let's be honest. Business ownership is heavvvvy. It's full of moving parts, unexpected challenges, and constant decisions. And if you're doing it all alone, it can feel impossible. The pressure is real right! Stressors like:
- You're wearing every hat – CEO, marketer, content creator, admin, strategist, chief tea maker.
- Making decisions without a roadmap, constantly questioning your path.
- Overwhelmed by ideas, unsure which to pursue.
- You feel like you should be further along, or that it ‘needs to work’, fueling frustration.
- You’re outsourcing your decision making, and letting someone else tell you what timeline your feeling of freedom can be found on.
And worst of all? It's exhausting. That initial excitement of starting something new fades. Replaced with feelings of stress and self-doubt. You question if you're even cut out for this.
When Mel and I started working together, I saw she didn't need more information—she needed direction. Instead of a complicated business plan, we focused on creating that direction. This simply looks like:
- Reflection: Looking back at what worked, what didn't, and what felt good in her business.
- Core Values: Identifying what she wanted to be known for and how she wanted to serve.
- Visualization: Picturing success—because growth isn't just numbers; it's aligned direction.
- Small Goals: Setting achievable goals instead of overwhelming ones.
For the first time in months, Mel felt clarity. She felt certainty, and the confidence that comes with that. She wasn't trying to do everything at once. She had a simple, actionable plan—one that actually made sense for her specific situation.
Why You Don't Need a Perfect Plan to Grow
Mel's story isn't unique. Business owners get trapped in the "perfect plan" myth evvvvvery darn day. But small, intentional steps create real momentum. Instead of waiting for the perfect offer, share what you know. Instead of a complete content strategy, start with one platform. Rather than having all the answers worked out, know and have confidence in the direction you’re heading off in. And be open to the opportunities you meet along the way. And I really want to reiterate here. If you’re waiting for clarity then take action! Because clarity comes through intentional action.
That shift changed everything for Mel. Within months, she had more engagement, client opportunities, and confidence. Not because she had a flawless plan, but because she stopped waiting for one.
This Is Exactly Why I Created The GAP Year Workshop
Seeing Mel (and so many others) struggle, I knew there had to be a better way. That's why I created The GAP Year Workshop—to help service-led business owners stop overthinking and start taking the actions they already know they needed to take. But that they didn’t feel they could because of lack of confidence (which also feels like resistance!). This workshop isn’t about another complicated strategy; it's a simple, structured process to help you step back, reflect, and create a clear path forward—without the pressure of figuring everything out at once.
If you’re nodding or you feel this is what you need, know this... you don't need a perfect plan to move forward. You need space to step back, clear the mental clutter, and focus on what truly matters. A moment to reflect on what's working, what isn't, and what your next best steps are. Because real business growth looks like this:
- Small, intentional steps, not massive leaps.
- Doing less, but better, instead of trying to do everything.
- Creating clarity before chasing the next strategy, platform or tool.
- Learning to move forward without waiting for perfection.
If that’s you. You need this workshop. It's not about sticking to a strict business plan—it’s about gaining clarity without overthinking and having the mental space and emotional freedom to get on with acting on it. The GAP Year workshop is perfect for business owners ready to break the cycle and move forward, one step at a time.
Because you don't need a perfect plan. You just need to take the next step.
Ready to ditch the overwhelm and embrace clarity?
Let's create your GAP Year together!
