How to Stop Drowning in Admin and Actually Grow Your Business
Let’s get real: Most entrepreneurs didn’t start a business to spend their days buried under paperwork, chasing invoices, or juggling endless to-do lists. If you’re spending more time on admin than on growth, you’re not alone—and you’re not doomed to stay stuck.
Here’s how to break free, reclaim your time, and focus on what actually moves the needle.
1. Ruthlessly Audit Your Tasks
First step: Write down every single task you handle in a week. Yes, every single one. Now, circle the ones that directly drive revenue or client relationships. Everything else? That’s admin. Most of it can—and should—be delegated or automated.
2. Automate the Boring Stuff
If you’re still sending invoices manually or tracking expenses in a spreadsheet, you’re wasting precious hours. Invest in accounting software (I recommend Xero or QuickBooks—don’t cheap out here). Use scheduling tools like Calendly and set up automatic reminders for yourself. Automation isn’t just for tech companies—it’s for anyone who values their own time.
3. Delegate Like Your Life Depends On It (Because It Does)
Stop being the bottleneck. Hire a bookkeeper, outsource payroll, or bring in a virtual assistant for admin tasks. Don’t wait until you’re underwater—build your support team now. The cost is peanuts compared to what you’ll gain in focus and sanity.
4. Set Boundaries and Protect Your Time
Block off “CEO time” every week—no calls, no emails, no admin. Use this time to work on your business, not in it. If clients or team members can’t respect your boundaries, they’re not the right fit.
5. Build a System, Not a House of Cards
Document your processes. Every time you do something more than once, write it down. This playbook will save you when you bring on new help and will keep your business running smoothly, even when you’re not in the office.
6. Measure What Matters
Track your time for a week. Where are you bleeding hours? Plug the leaks. Set KPIs for admin efficiency—how long does it take to close the books each month? How quickly are invoices paid? If you can’t measure it, you can’t fix it.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
Every “yes” to a non-essential task is a “no” to growth. Get comfortable with saying no to distractions, to low-value projects, and to anything that doesn’t serve your vision.
Bottom Line: You’re the Engine, Not the Oil Change
Entrepreneurs are visionaries, not glorified admins. The sooner you ditch the busywork, the sooner you’ll see real growth. Want help building systems that let you focus on what matters? Start by taking one task off your plate this week—and don’t look back.
To your success,
Chip Schweiger
Known as The Entrepreneur’s Accountant, Chip is an award-winning author, business coach, podcast host, and speaker. And, he’s collected a few letters after his name, including Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Global Management Accountant and Certified Value Builder. As a former Big 4 and global accounting firm partner, he’s worked with and guided the largest companies in America in the areas of securing growth capital, financing new ventures, optimizing business operations, and in completing strategic transactions.
With articles featured in The Journal of Accountancy, The CPA Journal, Houston Business Journal, Denver Business Journal and at Medium.com, he loves sharing business acumen to a wide audience of business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs.
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