As a woman who’s always had high standards for herself, it’s frustrating to pour your time and energy into your business, only to find that you're barely making it. You've checked off the boxes, followed the advice, and pushed through, but something isn’t clicking. This isn’t the success you envisioned, and it feels like you’ve hit a wall.
Let’s be real. The grind isn’t enough. The constant hustle isn’t a strategy—it’s just a way of getting by. It's called being in survival mode, and we perpetuate the same cycle over and over again. And you know deep down, you’re capable of more than this. But you’ve reached a point where you can’t keep relying on effort alone.
"The CONSTANT HUSTLE isn’t a strategy—it’s just a way of getting by." —Wanauma Graham
If you're tired of the bare minimum as a solopreneur, it’s time to make a shift. You don’t need to increase your effort; you need to change your approach. The barely making it isn’t enough for you, and you know it. Here’s a game plan to elevate your business to the level you deserve.
Start Demanding Better
This isn’t about asking for more; it's about expecting more—of yourself, of your business, and of the systems you use to make things happen. You’re beyond scraping by and just getting things done. Start demanding that your efforts match the value you bring to the table. Ask for more clarity from your business, from your clients, and from yourself. If you're constantly running in circles, it's time to stop and recalibrate. You don’t have to settle for mediocrity.
Tired of the bare minimum?
Raise Your Standards
Raising your standards isn’t just about setting higher goals—it’s about changing your entire mindset. The business you want to build is going to require more than the bare minimum of time and energy; it’s going to require intention, strategy, and consistency. If you’re used to just “getting by,” shift that mindset to demanding excellence in everything you do. Your actions, your business decisions, and the way you operate should reflect the high standards you’ve set for yourself in every other area of your life. It’s about making sure that everything you do is aligned with the level of success you want to achieve.
"Everything you do should be ALIGNED with the LEVEL OF SUCCESS you want to have moving forward."—Wanauma Graham
Gain Clarity
If you feel like you’ve been going around and around with no substantial progress, it’s likely because you’re lacking clarity. Are you clear on what success looks like for you? Is your business aligned with your values and the lifestyle you want to create? If not, it's time to gain that clarity. Start by reassessing your goals. What’s working? What’s not? Where are you spending your time and energy, and is it actually getting you where you know you should be? Don’t settle for vague or uninspiring goals. Your business goals should be purposeful and specific—grounded in the lifestyle you want to live, not just numbers or deadlines.
Change Your Mindset
This one is key. You’ve been operating under the assumption that working harder will eventually pay off. It won’t. This is where many women solopreneurs go wrong—they increase their efforts without taking a step back to reassess their strategy. More hours, more work, more tasks—it only leads to burnout and frustration. It’s not the amount of work you do; it’s the type of work. Shift your mindset from doing more to strategizing smarter. Your approach should be intentional, not just reactionary. Your mindset should be focused on building systems that support your goals, not chasing after endless tasks.
Don’t Increase Your Effort, Increase Your Strategy
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that more hours and more tasks will result in more success. But that’s a myth. If you’re stuck in a cycle of putting in effort but not seeing results, it’s time to take a step back. Increasing your strategy means understanding your business inside and out—knowing which actions bring in results and which ones are just noise. Don’t just work harder. Work smarter. Reevaluate your methods, streamline your processes, and focus on what truly makes an impact.
Here’s The Takeaway
The bare minimum won’t get you the life or business you want. You’ve been putting in the work, but now it’s time to put in the strategy. Start demanding better, raise your standards, and get clear on the vision you want to build. The path to success isn’t about working harder—it’s about working more strategically.
You deserve a business that aligns with the high standards you set for every other part of your life. It’s time to stop settling. Raise your bar and start building your success with intention.
More to come on how to work more strategically.
