A delicate balance exists between running your business on a daily basis and strategizing for tomorrow. The good news is that small business entrepreneurs do spend a generous amount of time thinking about their future. The bad news is that it’s done on-the-fly and on-the-run.

It’s not the big things spoiling your small business growth; it’s the small, seemingly insignificant assumptions that are painfully stalling growth for many entrepreneurs. Although some assumptions play a valuable role in growing a business – like the ones you need when making financial projections - most assumptions are unwarranted.

I’ll always remember my first marathon. Although I had trained and prepared extensively, I was really quite anxious. With 25,000 runners surrounding me, my confidence – and my juices – started to flow. The starting bell rang and the quick pace instantly swept me along. Big mistake! I was moving too fast. I needed to find my pace – and run my race - if I was going to finish strong.

The biggest challenge plaguing small businesses growth is the lack of focused time to tackle high priority development projects. With a moderate of uninterrupted time, you can get to the projects that move the needle and grow your business.

Business moves quickly and when it does, you need to be ready. That’s why many small business entrepreneurs turn to a business strategist. A small business strategist gives small businesses an edge that helps them grow more quickly.

Growing your small business wasn’t intended to be chaotic, confusing, overwhelming, and stressful. You dreamt that small business ownership would be fun, exciting, thrilling, rewarding, and would grow like a weed. What happened?! It all started when you said, “yes” to conventional wisdom.

Your day is in full swing. You've downed several cups of coffee in hopes to set fire to your brain. You've moved papers from one side of your desk to the other and onto the floor in neat stacks (for the fourth time). If you work from a home office, you're in your PJ's with your hair sporting the latest "bed-head" style. Is this how you ignite performance in your small business?  

Asking a fair and reasonable price for business services sometimes feels risky for small business entrepreneurs. Whether it’s the fear that no one will buy, a lack of belief in oneself, or a not having the pricing know-how, small business owners frequently price their services below market value and suffer the penalty of underearning.

Growing a small business is complex. It’s tricky to stay abreast of the latest industry developments and keep pace with up-to-the-minute business trends. Instead of leading, many small business owners are running as fast as they can to keep step with their business.

Entrepreneurs are notoriously optimistic people. Their forward-thinking optimism likely sparked their entrepreneurial launch and inspired others to join their dream. Add the fierce desire for independence and the ability to call the shots and you have a perfect mixture for an entrepreneurial tidal wave – or do you?