5 Things That Are Quickly Killing Your Business! (And How to Fix Them)

If your business is struggling, you might unknowingly be doing things that are holding you back and limiting your success.

Many entrepreneurs work hard, pour their energy into their business, and still find themselves stuck—wondering why growth seems so slow or why sales aren’t increasing.

The truth is, small but critical mistakes can make the difference between a thriving business and one that constantly feels like an uphill battle. The good news? These mistakes are fixable.

Today, I want to share five major business killers that may be stopping you from reaching your full potential—and the exact steps to turn things around.

An image of a weighing scale, with a clock on one end, and money on the other.1. Focusing on Getting Paid Based on Time

Most people are conditioned to trade time for money. You work a set number of hours, and you get paid accordingly. But in business, this mindset can keep you trapped, limiting your growth and earning potential.

One of my close friends likes to quote Jim Rohn a lot, and one of the things he says from time to time is:

“Find out what poor people read, don’t read.”

It’s the same principle. Instead of selling time, focus on selling results. Create digital products, courses, or services that allow you to earn passively.

Your income should not be tied to how many hours you work, but rather to the value you provide.

When you focus on selling results, you unlock a different level of financial freedom. Share on X

In one memorable moment, I was spending time with my daughter, Hannah, on my day off. We were playing little games and laughing together when a notification came in—someone had just purchased one of my digital products.

I turned to Hannah with a big smile and said, “We’re getting paid!” She repeated it back, giggling, as we celebrated the beauty of building a business that works even when I’m not.

That moment reminded me why I prioritize selling results over time—so I can enjoy precious moments with my family while my business continues to grow.

Another example is my course called Create Crowds Quickly. I recorded it once, and now it sells repeatedly, even while I’m spending time with my family. 

Your goal should be to create something once that continues to generate revenue for years to come. This is how you build long-term wealth instead of constantly working for the next paycheck.

2. Not Focusing on Selling

Many business owners avoid selling because they don’t want to seem pushy. But selling is not about manipulation—it’s about solving problems for people who need your help.

If you have a product or service that can improve someone’s life or business, keeping it to yourself does them a disservice.

Think about it this way—if you knew of a cure for a serious disease, would you hesitate to share it with those who need it? No! You would be eager to help them because you believe in the solution.

The same principle applies to selling. You’re not forcing anyone to buy; you’re offering them an opportunity to solve a problem.

Another common issue is waiting too long to start selling. Many entrepreneurs focus too much on branding, website design, or content creation without ever making an offer.

But the sooner you start selling, the faster you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t.

My 24/7 Leads program helps entrepreneurs generate leads on autopilot. I don’t beg people to buy it—I simply present the solution, and those who need it purchase it.

That’s the right way to approach sales. I also use my content to educate potential buyers so that when they see my offer, they already trust that it can help them.

Selling is serving. Share on X

If you shift your mindset from “closing a deal” to “helping people,” you’ll start seeing sales as an act of service rather than something uncomfortable or manipulative.

If you don’t prioritize selling, your business will not survive.

An image showing the steps when doing content strategy.3. Don’t Have Any Content

Content is how people find you, trust you, and ultimately buy from you. If you’re not creating content, your business is invisible to potential customers.

Many entrepreneurs assume that if they build a great product, customers will magically find them. But the reality is, if you don’t put yourself out there, no one will know you exist.

Content marketing is the bridge between your solution and the people who need it.

Content comes in many forms—videos, blogs, emails, social media posts—anything that educates, inspires, and attracts your audience. The key is consistency.

Posting one video or one blog post and then disappearing won’t get you results. The more value you provide through your content, the more trust you build with your audience.

My YouTube videos help people understand business and marketing principles. Many of those viewers then purchase my courses or books. If I didn’t create content, I wouldn’t have a business.

My content not only attracts new people but also nurtures them until they are ready to invest in my solutions.

Another overlooked type of content is Email Marketing. Sending valuable emails build trust and keeps your audience engaged. A simple weekly email can turn a hesitant lead into a loyal customer.

If Social Media disappears tomorrow, your email list remains an asset you own.

Why Content Matters: Creating consistent, high-value content establishes you as an authority in your niche. It allows you to stay top-of-mind with potential customers, so when they’re ready to buy, they choose you over someone they’ve never heard of.

If you’re not consistently creating content, you’re missing out on customers who are actively searching for what you offer.

4. Don’t Keep All Your Eggs in One Basket

Diversification is key, but spreading yourself too thin is dangerous. Many entrepreneurs try to be everywhere—YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, podcasts, and Email Marketing—all at once. This leads to burnout and mediocre results.

Instead, master one main platform before expanding to others. Build a strong foundation before diversifying. When you establish authority in one place, it becomes easier to drive traffic and sales from other sources later on.

This approach allows you to scale without feeling overwhelmed.

A common mistake is seeing successful entrepreneurs active on multiple platforms and thinking you need to do the same.

What you don’t see is that they likely built their presence on one platform first before branching out. Trying to do everything at once will only slow you down.

Early in my journey, I tried to manage multiple platforms at once. But when I focused primarily on YouTube, my results improved significantly.

My audience grew, my business became more profitable, and I had a clear direction. 

Another key principle is diversifying your income sources while maintaining focus.

Having one strong marketing channel is important, but you should also have multiple ways of generating revenue—such as digital products, courses, or Affiliate Marketing—so your business isn’t entirely dependent on one stream.

Change the frame, so you can change the game. Share on X

Strategy for Success: Choose one primary platform that aligns with your strengths. If you love speaking, focus on YouTube or podcasts. If you enjoy writing, start with blogging or Email Marketing.

Once you build a solid audience, you can repurpose your content across different platforms without spreading yourself too thin.

Focus on one primary channel to build momentum. Then, branch out strategically.

An image of word scrabble cubes, spelling out the words My/Your Story.5. It’s the Story

Your mindset shapes your reality. If you believe your business will fail, you will take actions (or inactions) that lead to failure. If you believe success is inevitable, you will take steps that bring it to life.

Your internal dialogue is one of the most powerful forces shaping your business outcomes. The story you tell yourself influences your confidence, decision-making, and resilience.

Many struggling entrepreneurs unknowingly sabotage their own success by repeating negative beliefs: “I’m not good at business,” “Nobody will buy from me,” or “The market is too saturated.”

These thoughts become self-fulfilling prophecies.

On the other hand, successful entrepreneurs reinforce positive beliefs: “I am building something valuable,” “People need what I have to offer,” and “I am constantly improving and learning.”

These affirmations push them to take action, market effectively, and persist through challenges.

One of the biggest mindset shifts is learning to reframe failures as learning experiences. Every setback is an opportunity to refine your approach and grow stronger. Instead of saying, “This launch failed,” say, “This launch taught me what to improve for next time.”

I keep a note on my whiteboard that simply says It’s the Story. It reminds me daily that the way I think about my business determines its outcome. If I believe growth is possible, I take action that aligns with that belief.

Every day, I make a conscious effort to control my thoughts and ensure they are leading me toward success rather than fear and doubt.

To reinforce a strong, positive mindset, surround yourself with uplifting books, videos, and people who reinforce a winning mentality. Seek out mentors, listen to successful entrepreneurs, and constantly feed your mind with encouragement and wisdom.

Build a Business That Thrives

The key to a successful business isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about actively implementing the right strategies.

If you shift your mindset, focus on selling, create consistent content, build on a strong foundation, and tell yourself a powerful story, you won’t just survive—you’ll thrive.

Every successful entrepreneur has faced challenges, but the ones who succeed are those who make intentional decisions to grow. You have the power to change the trajectory of your business by taking action today.

If you avoid these five business killers and apply the opposite strategies, your business will not just survive but thrive.

If you’re ready to take the next step and build a business that generates consistent income, check out this article. It walks you through how to start a business that can generate $10,000 a month, giving you the financial freedom and impact you desire.

Go win, and God bless!

WATCH THE VIDEO

 

Israel

He’s learning to serve the Christian community better and better each day through his teaching on the Bible (both theory and practical application for everyday life). Israel Ikhinmwin loves to share the truth of God’s Word and be an example for other Christians looking to develop your faith.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

eighteen + = twenty seven