Putting yourself first will drive your business forward

There’s a dangerous myth in small business: Good founders put themselves last.

They work longer hours, carry everyone else’s stress, skip rest, and tell themselves it’s “just part of the job.” It sounds noble. It looks committed. In reality, it quietly damages the business you’re trying to build.

Here’s the truth: founders do their best work for the business when they put themselves first. Not out of selfishness — but out of responsibility.

How Putting Yourself First Makes You a Better Business Owner

Putting yourself first is the better business decision. When founders look after themselves, performance improves across the board.

• Clearer communication and stronger decision-making - having a clear head means you deliver your message most powerfully, to staff, customers and prospects

• Greater consistency and follow-through - By stopping being a busy fool, you have the time and space to do what you say and complete jobs, rather than starting hundreds but never finishing any

• Building trust by being calm and present - People follow someone they trust and want to emulate - this is strong leadership

Burnt-Out Founders Can’t Be Accountable Leaders

Accountability requires clarity, consistency, and follow-through. Burnout kills all three.

When energy drops, accountability is often the first thing to go.

• Decisions become reactive instead of strategic

• Deadlines slip and standards drop

• Financial discipline weakens

• Communication becomes rushed or unclear

If you’re constantly tired, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin, you’re not failing because you lack discipline — you’re failing because you’re trying to lead without fuel.

An accountable business starts with an accountable founder.

dealing with the elephant in the room

This is the narrative we tell ourselves as founders who prioritise ourselves.

You are not committed enough. You are lazy. You are neglecting your responsibilities. It's supposed to be hard; man up.

This is what you fear, and it keeps pushing you on. They keep you working 24/7, and eventually, they lead to total burnout.

It is not about being lazy; it is about setting boundaries and protecting your time and energy so you do a better job. It's about working ON the business, not IN the business. That cliche exists for a reason.

The other phrase that comes to mind is 'a busy fool'. Lots of work gets done that isn't driving the business forward. You tell yourself you are doing the right things, that you are working hard - as if that's the only thing that matters.

It brings another cliche to mind - work smarter, not harder...

Practical Ways Founders Can Put Themselves First

Putting yourself first as a founder DOES NOT mean the business suffers. It's not about motivation or effort; it's about having systems in place to enable you to be the best you possibly can, for the benefit of the business. Here are four practical actions every founder can take, putting them first and benefiting the company.

1. Boosting your energy should be a non-negotiable

Schedule rest, exercise, and personal time in the same way you schedule client work. You wouldn't cancel a client meeting because someone asked for a call, so don't put off a personal task that will help boost your energy levels - an energised founder will do a much better job for the business

2. Build review time into your week

Being accountable helps you take control, but accountability requires reflection. Block time to review things like finances, task lists, priorities, and results. You'll make better business decisions

3. Delegate earlier than feels comfortable

If everything depends on you, then you'll never move the business forward because you'll always be behind schedule, playing catch-up or burnt out. A business will never scale when it's too reliant on one person, even if it's the founder.

4. Set fewer, clearer priorities

This is a critical way of thinking and working, plus it has the added bonus of not overloading a founder. Less is More. Doing less — deliberately — leads to stronger execution and better follow-through.

The Long-Term Payoff: A Business That Thrives Without Burning You Out

The truth is, however much you put yourself first, the business will still encounter plenty of challenges; we cannot make them all go away, however well we work.

By putting yourself first, you will be more resilient to accept those challenges and have the mindset right for coming up with solutions. Working harder and harder doesn't help come up with creative solutions; working smarter and looking after yourself does.

You will also enjoy the role of founder more. Why is that important? If you are enjoying work and being driven by your purpose, you'll ultimately stick with it. Plenty of founders walk away from their business because they are burnt out and have lost the passion for the business.

A business that should grow with you, not at your expense.

Strong Businesses Don’t Run on Sacrifice — They Run on Sustainable Leadership

Putting yourself first isn’t a luxury - it’s more responsible.

When founders are rested, focused, and supported:

• Accountability becomes consistent

• Standards rise across the business

• Decisions improve

• Growth becomes sustainable

If you are the engine of the business, running yourself into the ground isn’t dedication — it’s neglect.

Put yourself first. Your business will thank you for it.