An honest question.
WHAT PEOPLE ASSUME
That growth is the objective.
WHAT IS ALSO VALID
A business that supports you well, at a size you can manage alone.
WHAT GROWTH BRINGS
More revenue More capacity More complexity More obligations Less direct control Different work for you
THAT LAST POINT
Growing changes what you do.
You move from doing the work to managing people doing the work.
Many people dislike that and discover it too late.
WHAT TO ASK YOURSELF
Do I want to manage people? Do I want the business to exist without me? Am I growing because I want to, or because it seems expected?
WHEN GROWTH IS THE RIGHT ANSWER
You consistently turn away profitable work You cannot serve existing customers well You want the business to be worth something beyond your own labour
WHEN IT IS NOT
You are busy but not profitable Your systems do not work at current size You have not fixed what is already broken
