There is a quiet punishment that comes with being good at your job. The more you prove yourself, the more you are asked to carry. Tasks that are technically outside your role. Responsibilities that were meant to be shared. Emergencies…
It’s easy to assume that if you’re behind, you must be doing something wrong. That there’s a better system you haven’t found yet, or a smarter way to batch your tasks, or a new piece of software that would fix…
Somewhere along the way, constant availability got confused with reliability, as if the only proof of commitment is how quickly you reply or how long you stay online. The pressure is quiet but relentless. Be visible. Be responsive. Fill the…
Making Social Media Bearable Like many small business owners I feel the pull to stay visible online even though writing is not my trade. I do not love social media. I am not a copywriter so writing content is hard…
When the Unexpected Becomes the JobWith the latest storm warnings in place, I’m reminded of a week when the weather took centre stage in my work. It’s a reminder that behind the scenes, when the unexpected happens, someone is still…
And you do not need to explain yourself There is a particular kind of advice that turns up once you start a business. Speak louder. Show up everywhere. Post five times a day. Hire before you are ready. It is…
When people say they “need support,” what they often mean is that they’re overwhelmed. Their inbox is overflowing, the deadlines are too close together, and they’re carrying a dozen priorities that all feel urgent. So they look for someone to…
People say “just admin” the way they say “just background noise” or “just filler.” I have never seen it that way. Admin is the scaffolding that holds everything else in place. It is the reason you get paid on time,…
There’s a lot of talk in small business spaces about “wearing all the hats”, usually said with a grim sort of pride, as if being permanently overwhelmed is a sign of strength. I used to believe that too; that being…
There’s a moment in every small business owner’s journey when they realise something important: saying yes to everything doesn’t work. It doesn’t make you more helpful. It doesn’t make clients happier. And it doesn’t make the work better. It just…