When life gets loud and business feels heavy

9 Oct

If there’s one thing the last couple of weeks have reminded me, it’s that life and business are completely intertwined.

People often talk about “work-life balance” as though there’s a tidy line between the two, but when you run a business, you quickly realise that line doesn’t exist. Life spills into work, and work spills into life. And pretending otherwise just adds more pressure.

This isn’t a bad thing. It’s simply the truth of being human.

When life shows up in business

Over the last couple of weeks, life has shown up in full force, dealing with anxiety caused by perimenopause, parenting a fiercely independent (and occasionally exhausting) fourteen-year-old, navigating a challenging economic climate, and juggling multiple projects inside the business.

It’s been a lot.

And what I’ve noticed is that even when your business is performing well, it can still feel hard. Because business relies on your energy, your creativity, your brain, and when a big part of your brain is occupied by everything else going on in life, there’s less left to give.

That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you’re normal and the key is finding ways to make the best of a hard situation.

Why strategy becomes your anchor

This is exactly why I believe strategy isn’t just a “nice-to-have” in business, it’s essential.

When life feels heavy, your business strategy gives you something solid to hold onto. It’s the structure that keeps you focused when motivation wobbles. It’s the clarity that helps you see what really matters, even when your head feels foggy. It’s your scaffolding.

Over the past week, I’ve had to make some adjustments and intentional choices.

I went for walks with business friends who understand what it’s like to juggle everything.
I took my foot off the gas on the days I needed to.
I reminded myself that I’m in this for the long game and that this is just a moment in time
I focused only on the tasks that actually made a difference within the business, because I knew what those were.
And today, I made the call to skip the Cornwall Business Show, because four hours in the car just wasn’t what I needed. Instead, I’m here writing this blog, delivering projects and refocusing, which feels far more aligned with where I am right now.

And the reason I could make those choices with confidence is because I have a clear plan. I know where I’m heading. I know what’s most important. And I also know that this is a small phase in the long game.

That’s the power of strategy. It doesn’t remove the hard days, but it makes them more manageable.

In it for the long game

The reason this blog is called The Long Game is because running a business is exactly that… a long game.

It’s not all upward momentum. There are highs and lows, wins and worries, energy and exhaustion. That’s just the rhythm of it.

The key is learning to embrace it. To prepare for it. To ride it out when it feels tough, and to remember that it’s always a phase. Even the hardest weeks pass.

When you keep your eyes on the long game, on the impact you want to have, the reason you started, and the strategy that supports it, you’ll find your footing again.

It’s not about ignoring the short term. Sometimes you do need to zoom in and just handle what’s right in front of you. But keeping that longer-term direction in the back of your mind helps you make better decisions in the moment.

That’s what keeps you steady. That’s what helps you keep going.

The business owners I work with are in it for the long game, and I help them steady the ship. Their business isn’t just a job; it’s part of their life. It’s how they create freedom, purpose, and impact. But to build something that lasts, you have to treat it like a long game.

Building a great business AND a great life

And that’s exactly why I built The Pocket Strategist: to help small business owners create great businesses AND great lives. Because the two can’t be separated.

Right now, we’re working on a few exciting things to help business owners do just that:

Free strategy clinics and workshops for memberships, communities, and workspaces, helping their members get clarity on direction and priorities (interested? message me!).
In-person operations-focused workshop on 14 October, all about streamlining operations, simplifying systems, using AI more effectively, and making things run smoothly.
The Strategy Sessions - 90-minute virtual strategy sessions for business owners who want expert input on a specific challenge without needing a full strategy day.

And we’re always open to collaborations. If there’s a way we can support your community or create something bespoke, I’d love to hear from you.

Focus on what matters most

Running a business will always have its ups and downs. It’s not meant to be easy all the time. But it can be fulfilling, meaningful, and deeply rewarding, especially when you stop fighting the rhythm of it and start planning with it.

So if you’re in a tough phase right now, take a breath. It’s just a phase.

Focus on what matters most. Trust your plan. Reach out for support when you need it.

Because you're in it for the long game.

Katherine