#004: 3 Sneaky Habits Holding Your Business Back (And How to Break Free)

How many times have you felt like you’re working harder than ever but not making real progress? Like you’re showing up, putting in the hours, and chasing your goals, but something just isn’t clicking?

I’ve been there. When I first started building my online business after leaving the nonprofit world, I had this big vision of helping women like you combine profit and purpose. But instead of gaining momentum, I felt stuck, overwhelmed, and exhausted.

Here’s what I didn’t realize at the time: It wasn’t the big, glaring mistakes holding me back—it was the sneaky little habits I barely noticed. These habits felt productive, but in reality, they were stalling my growth.

If you’ve ever felt the same, you’re not alone. The good news? Once you recognize these habits, you can ditch them for good and replace them with ones that actually help you grow.

The Invisible Growth Killers

1. Overthinking Every Decision

Does this sound familiar? You spend hours agonizing over an email subject line or tweaking a social media post, convinced it has to be perfect before you can hit publish.

I get it—when you’re building something that matters, you want to get it right. But overthinking leads to paralysis. Instead of making progress, you get stuck in a cycle of second-guessing yourself, and nothing gets done.

How to Break Free:

• Adopt a B+ mindset. Your audience doesn’t need perfection; they need connection.
• Set a timer. Give yourself a strict time limit to make a decision and move on.
• Focus on progress over perfection. Messy action beats no action every single time.

When I started embracing imperfection, not only did I feel less pressure, but I also started seeing better results. Turns out, good enough really is great.

2. Saying Yes to the Wrong Opportunities

Let me tell you about the time I hosted a joint webinar that wasn’t aligned with my business. I poured hours into planning, only to hear crickets. Why? Because the opportunity didn’t match my audience or my goals.

We often say yes to things out of fear—fear of missing out, fear of offending someone, or fear that we’re passing up the “one big break.” But every time you say yes to the wrong thing, you’re saying no to the right ones.

How to Break Free:

• Use a values filter. Ask yourself: Does this align with my long-term vision? If the answer is no, it’s a no.
• Practice saying no. Start with small asks, like declining a coffee chat that doesn’t feel aligned.
• Trust your gut. Saying no creates space for opportunities that truly align with your purpose.

The more intentional I became with my yeses, the more I realized that saying no wasn’t just okay—it was necessary for growth.

3. Neglecting Personal Boundaries

Oh, boundaries. For years, I didn’t have any. I took client calls late at night, worked through weekends, and skipped meals to hit deadlines. It felt like I was doing what I had to do to grow my business.

But here’s what I learned: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a growth killer.

How to Break Free:

• Set and communicate office hours. Let your clients and team know when you’re available—and stick to it.
• Prioritize self-care. Block time in your calendar for rest and treat it like a non-negotiable.
• Outsource what you can. Delegating tasks isn’t giving up control—it’s making room for what matters most.

When I started enforcing boundaries, my clients didn’t resent me for it—they respected me more. And I showed up better because of it.

Small Changes, Big Impact

These sneaky habits might feel harmless—or even helpful—but over time, they drain your energy and hold your business back. The good news? Breaking free doesn’t require a complete overhaul.

• Start by prioritizing high-impact activities.
• Celebrate progress over perfection.
• Protect your time and energy like your business depends on it—because it does.

I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Small, intentional changes can lead to massive growth.

Listen to the Full Episode

Ready to dive deeper? In Episode 004 of The Business of Good, I’m breaking down these invisible growth killers and sharing even more tips to help you build a business that thrives without burning out.