Leveraging ‘Stop, Start, Continue’ for Small Business Growth

In the relentless pursuit of entrepreneurship, clarity can be elusive. We find ourselves drowning in a torrent of activities day in and day out, lauding the mantra of 'more, better, faster.' But in the fine print of such narratives lies an oft-ignored truth – not all tasks are created equal, and neither is the impact they wield on your business. The key isn't doing more; it's deciphering what you should start, stop, or continue.

There's a stark necessity to declutter and refocus.

What if I told you that a simple strategy could revolutionize how you approach your workday, freeing you from tasks that don’t add value to your business?

The Three Lists That Changed Everything

Chris Guillebeau, a maestro of entrepreneurship, once shared an epiphany that arose from a simple exercise he called "Stop, Start, Continue - The A/B/C Lists". The premise is simple – divide your tasks into three lists:

Stop - These are tasks that do not serve you or your business, those that can be dropped altogether.

Start - Here, you list the tasks that you believe will advance your goals.

Continue - Maintain a list of activities you're already doing well and which bring significant value.

Conducting this audit was an eye-opener for Guillebeau, and as I have experimented with this method in my own career, I found that it provides a structured lens through which to examine the utility and alignment of daily tasks with overarching business objectives.

The Value of ‘Stop’

Know What Not to Do.

Understanding what isn’t working for your business can be as transformational as identifying what is. For me, the 'Stop' list revealed meetings and calls that, despite sounding productive, drained energy rather than fueling my business growth.

Not all meetings are created equal. In the early days of a business, one might feel obligated to attend every networking event or 'opportunity' to meet other professionals in the field. However, as I discovered, these meetings can often pull you away from more impactful tasks. Stopping these low ROI interactions is a critical step in reclaiming valuable time and energy for the real work of entrepreneurship.

“Solicit ideas for how to use AI-generated BASB images” on my list sounds like an innovative task until it takes a full afternoon and leaves me more confused than I began. Sometimes, tasks that sound interesting turn out to be time-sucks that lead nowhere. Distinguishing between what's truly valuable and what's a disguised productivity trap is key.

The ‘Start’ List

The 'Start' list is about intention. It's that list where you place all the tasks that you can visualise leading to tangible outcomes for your business.

Product development, strategic marketing campaigns, and skills development are all activities that belong on this list. These are the tasks that, if done well, will propel your business forward. They may not always be the most enjoyable, but their value is undeniable.

"Read books for ideas" can be a well-spent hour among the tasks you want to start. This intentional learning can often provide the breakthroughs small business owners need. It’s the educational counterpart to high-impact actions, feeding the mind with new perspectives and strategies.

The ‘Continue’ List

Acknowledging the tasks that you do well and that have served your business is equally important. It’s about not fixing what isn’t broken and keeping your unique selling propositions strong.

Interacting with and retaining existing customers has been a strong suit for many small businesses. It's a task often taken for granted but is crucial for maintaining long-term success.

Streamlining operations and workflows falls under this category. When things are running smoothly, you operate from a place of stability, which is necessary for growth.

The New Lens of Productivity

This approach to task management provides a new lens through which small business owners can view their workload. It compels us to question the status quo and be intentional about where our time goes.

For businesses on the cusp of growth, this can be a particularly delicate but exciting time. Revisiting and refining these lists periodically ensures that as your business evolves, your focus remains on the activities that will continue to pay dividends.

While we often measure success in terms of financial ROI, there’s also the emotional ROI to consider. How do the tasks on your 'Start' list make you feel? If they’re aligned with your passion and purpose, the emotional ROI can be just as valuable.

The Challenge of Implementation

Understanding the theory of these lists is one thing; implementing it is another. For small business owners, breaking free from the habit of busyness can be as challenging as any other business task.

Overcoming FOMO -The fear of missing out often drives entrepreneurs to take on every opportunity that comes their way. Trusting the list and saying no to seemingly good opportunities is a muscle that needs to be exercised and strengthened.

Crafting the List - Crafting a meaningful list requires self-awareness and a deep understanding of your business goals. It’s a personal exercise that varies for each entrepreneur, but once mastered, it becomes a powerful tool.

Accountability - Whether through mentorship, coaching, or simply sharing your lists with a trusted colleague, having someone hold you accountable for the tasks you've stopped, started, or continued can be invaluable.

In a world that often glorifies being busy, these lists offer a counternarrative. It’s not about how many tasks you can brag about completing. It’s about the impact and value of the tasks you choose to focus on.

I challenge you to take on the Stop, Start, Continue method. Take a moment to stop, assess what’s on your plate, and then intentionally start and continue tasks that have the power to transform your business. It could be the shift your business needs to propel you to the next level of success.