From Employee to Entrepreneur: The Simple Shift That Changed Everything
Michael Johnston ★ Business Breakthrough Strategist
Internationally recognised Business Breakthrough Strategist Associate Contributor – The Six Figure Coach Magazine, Business Coach, Marketing Consultant, Social Media Consultant, Speaker, Strategist
For most of my life—even as a business owner—I operated with the mindset of an employee. I had a business, but it often felt like my business had me. Every day was driven by a massive to-do list that never seemed to end. I would check off tasks only to have new ones pop up immediately, always hustling but never feeling like I was making meaningful progress.
I had done time management courses, productivity challenges, and everything else in between, yet the list kept getting longer. Sound familiar?
The Trap of the Employee Mindset
In this way, I was still operating as an employee—even though I owned my business. I was busy, constantly in motion, but in reality, I was just putting out fires, chasing the next task, and never really moving the needle in a meaningful way. This is what I now call the employee mindset: prioritizing tasks, not outcomes.
The problem with the employee mindset is that it’s reactive. It focuses on getting through the day, surviving until the end of the week, and repeating the cycle. Even though I owned multiple businesses, I was falling into this trap. I was working for my business, not on my business.
Then one day, it hit me: I could spend my whole life accumulating and ticking off tasks and still not feel any sense of real accomplishment. I wasn’t focused on what actually mattered.
The Entrepreneurial Shift
That’s when I made a decision to shift my focus. I realized that true entrepreneurs don’t spend their time simply crossing things off a list—they focus on what truly moves the needle. I stopped being a slave to my to-do list and started focusing on just two things every single day: bettering myself and bettering my business.
That was it. Two tasks.
It doesn’t sound like much, but this small shift in focus changed everything. By narrowing my priorities to those two areas, I started to achieve more balance, more time with my family, and ironically, more growth in my business. Instead of being overwhelmed by an endless task list, I was making strategic, intentional progress every day.
Why Two Tasks?
You might be wondering: Why only two things?
Because it’s manageable. It’s realistic. And it’s effective.
The beauty of this approach is that it allows me to stay laser-focused on what matters most without getting lost in the noise. Bettering myself means committing to personal growth—whether that’s learning a new skill, investing time in my health, or gaining a fresh perspective on business. Bettering my business means strategically working on the things that drive revenue, improve customer experience, or refine our systems.
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And here’s the best part: Once those two things are done, if I want to do more, I can. But there’s no pressure. I’ve already achieved what’s most important for the day, and everything else is a bonus.
The Results
Since making this shift, I’ve found a balance that I didn’t have before. I wake up every day with clarity about what I need to accomplish. I still hustle—don’t get me wrong—but the grind isn’t controlling me anymore. I’m not just busy, I’m effective. This has given me more time for the things that matter: my family, my passions, and my health.
And my businesses? They’ve never been stronger. By focusing on fewer, high-impact tasks, I’ve been able to achieve more in less time.
Are You an Entrepreneur or Still an Employee?
Here’s where I want to ask you a question:
Are you still stuck in the employee mindset?
Do you spend your days checking off tasks without making real progress, or are you focused on bettering yourself and your business in meaningful ways?
I made the shift, and it has completely transformed how I operate—not just as a business owner, but as an entrepreneur. If you feel like you’re drowning in an endless sea of to-dos, consider making this shift yourself.
What’s one thing you could commit to today to better yourself? What’s one thing you could do to better your business?
Take that step. Focus on two things. And watch how quickly everything changes.
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on your own journey. Are you an employee of your own business, or are you leading it? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s connect—because entrepreneurship is about progress, not perfection.