In May 2016, I spent four weeks in Malaga, Spain, deliberately stepping back from hands-on work to focus on long-term business planning. That decision transformed my creative agency.
Growth Isn’t Linear
Expectations of steady upward trajectories rarely materialize in reality. Business growth zigzags, stalls, and sometimes reverses before moving forward again.
However, having a comprehensive strategic plan provides an essential anchor point. Even when circumstances force deviations from original goals, returning to carefully considered plans written during moments of clarity enables faster course correction.
The Strategic Impact
My partner Martin and I set ambitious but achievable targets for revenue and profit growth. Actual results deviated from projections, as business growth typically does, but the foundational planning proved invaluable.
I repeated this annual practice for four years, consistently dedicating uninterrupted time to strategic development while building systems that allowed the business to operate independently.
Unexpected Benefits
A significant overlooked advantage emerged: establishing robust remote infrastructure enabled the agency to transition to full operations within hours when COVID-19 struck in 2020.
The prior years of delegation and system-building positioned the team for seamless adaptation. We were ready because we had built something that didn’t depend on us being physically present.
The Core Message
Entrepreneurs must prioritize dedicated strategic thinking time separate from operational demands to build scalable, resilient businesses.
You can’t work on the business while you’re buried in the business. Step back regularly. Your future self will thank you.
Go deeper: Read about The Owner Extraction Method. It’s the 90-day system I used to move from founder-run to founder-led.