Ever feel like your business is stuck, but you’re not sure exactly why? You’re not alone. One of the most powerful ways to get unstuck is to find and fix your most immediate constraint, one thing that, if solved, will make everything else easier or even unnecessary.
If you own a business or lead a team, you probably feel like you’re juggling a dozen things at once- sales, staff, operations, and all the little fires that pop up daily. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start when things feel off. Here’s a simple truth: every business has at least one bottleneck that’s slowing everything down. If you can spot and fix that main roadblock, you’ll see real results, fast.
What Is a Constraint, and Why Should You Care?
Imagine your business as a garden hose with water running through it. If the hose has multiple kinks, the water barely trickles out. Most people try to fix random kinks, hoping for better flow, but this wastes time and energy. The smart move? Find the first kink, the most immediate constraint, because fixing that one instantly improves the flow. Every resource you spend on anything else is wasted until that first kink is gone.
Your constraining may be a process that’s always behind, a role with unclear responsibilities, product offering or pricing, or a system that just doesn’t work. Once you tackle that main issue, everything else starts to run smoother.
Simple Questions to Ask Yourself to Find Your Most Immediate Constraint
Not sure where to look? Here are some simple questions and steps to help you zero in on what’s holding you back:
- What’s the smallest change that would have the biggest impact?
- What’s the one thing that, if fixed, would make most other problems disappear?
- Finish this sentence: “It’s impossible to grow unless…” (Your answer will often reveal your constraint.)
Now, dig a little deeper:
- Spotting the Bottleneck: Where do things always seem to pile up? Is there a process everyone grumbles about? Maybe a decision that always gets delayed?
- Listening to Your Team: Ask your staff where they feel stuck or frustrated. They’re usually closest to the real problem.
- Checking the Numbers: Data can be a big help. Missed deadlines, customer complaints, or high turnover are all clues pointing to a constraint.
Ready to Get Unstuck?
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re always putting out fires, it’s time to find your most immediate constraint and break through it. Start by asking yourself and your team: “What’s the one thing, if we fixed it, would make everything else easier or unnecessary?” Then, take action.
Sometimes you are too close to the problem to see it. If you are tired of spinning your wheels, book your business accelerator call today!
Ways to Work Together
If you are feeling trapped in your business and not experiencing the freedom you want, here are the two ways we can work together.
Clarity Call: Ready to build a business that gives you true freedom? I create custom solutions tailored to your industry, goals, and vision of success—so you can love your business again. Click above to schedule a call to clarify your goals, tackle roadblocks, and see how we can work together.
Business Roadmap: This is for business owners who want clear, actionable next steps—not another generic course. Get a plan tailored to your business, clarity on what matters, and the resources to move forward. Walk away knowing exactly what to do—and what to ignore—so you can save time, money, and avoid years of frustration.
A third way, and I know I only said two, but sometimes I can’t help myself. If you are feeling stuck and are in need of resources, reach out. I am happy to point you in the right direction and even provide an asset of my own to help you move forward.
Stephanie German is a business strategist, adjunct professor, and speaker. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and loves giving back to her community in a variety of ways. When she’s not coaching clients or writing about leadership, Stephanie is usually headed to the mountains or the beach with her family, drinking savory wine, or working on the latest project with her husband. Stephanie’s greatest desires are to raise up the next generation of leaders while raising her own children to be strong, independent, and brave. She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Blake and her three spunky daughters, Cara, Kinsey, and Peyton. She is the best-selling author of So Your Boss Can’t Lead?
I strategically help business owners develop their leadership competencies, implement ways to be more strategic to increase revenue, develop workflows that affect the bottom line, and create work-life integration so they live a life they love. Set up a free 15-minute consult. Click Here.
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Stephanie German is a business strategist, adjunct professor, and speaker. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and loves giving back to her community in a variety of ways. When she’s not coaching clients or writing about leadership, Stephanie is usually headed to the mountains or the beach with her family, drinking savory wine, or working on the latest project with her husband. Stephanie’s greatest desires are to raise up the next generation of leaders while raising her own children to be strong, independent, and brave. She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Blake and her three spunky daughters, Cara, Kinsey, and Peyton. She is the best-selling author of So Your Boss Can’t Lead?