Most founders start out doing everything, wearing all the hats. But as the business grows, the real challenge is knowing what to stop doing.

Not all work is equal; some tasks keep you busy. Others move the business forward.

And the fastest way to stall your growth is to keep focusing your time in the £10 work, when your real value is spent on the £1,000 decisions.

This week, we’re breaking down how to spot the difference and what to do about it.

Not All Work Is Equal

Every company operates across three layers:

• Operational - the doing (admin, emails, inbox, scheduling)
• Management - the overseeing (delivery, client care, planning)
• Strategic - the designing (vision, strategy, team development, partnerships)

Each is an important part of the business. But only one will scale your business.

We call this the Task Value Filter:

1. 🔴 Operational = £10/hour work
2. 🟡 Management = £100/hour work
3. 🟢 Strategic = £1,000/hour work

Too many founder-CEOs are spending most of their time in the red zone - reacting, firefighting and doing - when their business needs them in the green.

The Real Cost of Low-Value Tasks

If you’re spending 5+ hours a week on admin or reacting to day-to-day problems, that’s time not spent on vision, strategy, or leadership.

Put simply: the opportunity cost is massive.

Staying in the £10/hour work might feel faster and even more efficient… until you realise that staying in those tasks could be costing you £5,000+/month in missed opportunities.

Start with One System

Here’s how to begin shifting your time into higher-leverage activities:

1. Map your current time - what % of your week is red, amber, green?
2. List your time-drains - what’s pulling you away from where you want to focus?
3. Document the process - bullet points, a voice note, or screen recording works.
4. Identify what can be delegated or automated - action it or hire for it.
5. Repeat - this is an evolution.

That’s the beginning of a system - one that can run without relying on you. And remember it is a process that will be built on over time. It doesn't have to be perfect right away.

Final Thought

The shift from founder to CEO is a mindset shift and a shift in where you focus your time, energy, and leadership.

Slowly start to let go of the £10 tasks. Start building the £1,000 systems that give you your time (and business) back.

If This Resonates…

This is exactly what we help companies do.

We work with leaders to get:

• Clarity on where their time is best spent
• Confidence to delegate without quality slipping
• Systems that allow the business to run, even when they step away
• Headspace to lead, and not react

Sound like what you need?Let me know and we’ll help you get your ops into shape — and your time back where it belongs.

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