I’m a firm believer in multiple streams of income.

I think it’s a big factor in how we’ve managed to run a successful business for over 20 years, as I’ve watched others burn bright then drop out along the way.

BUT – the minus side is you can get overwhelmed and spread too thin, which can have an adverse effect. It creates a complexity in your business (or life!) that you absolutely don’t need.

The Decision That Changed Everything

We sat down a year ago and had a proper think about what we really enjoyed working on versus the products and projects that were draining the life and energy out of us and the team.

There was one particular niche that just wasn’t a good fit anymore.

It didn’t attract the type of customers that we felt we could best serve.

None of the team felt particularly passionate about it anymore, and even though it was still successful and bringing in over six figures in revenue we had to make a decision.

Time spent on it was taking up brain space and our precious time – it was keeping us from working on new projects that could be even more profitable and (more importantly) more enjoyable!

What We Did About It

So we made a decision. We just stopped.

Yes, we probably could have found a buyer for some of those bigger projects but that would have taken further time and energy that would have been diverted from other things.

And it’s paying off already… new projects that we would never have had time for have quickly filled the revenue gap (and more) and we are more energised and engaged than ever before.

This Isn’t Just For Business Owners

Whether you run your own business, work for someone else, or are juggling multiple roles in life, I bet there’s something draining your energy right now.

For business owners, it might be a product line or difficult client type.

For employees, it might be certain responsibilities that just don’t play to your strengths.

For everyone, it’s about recognising when something’s not working for you anymore!

5 Practical Tips To Try This Week

1. Have a proper look at what drains you: Grab a piece of paper and actually write down what takes your energy versus what gives you energy. Be brutally honest!
2. Work out the real cost: Not just the money side, but the cost to your mental health, your enthusiasm, and what opportunities you’re missing because of it
3. Set a timeline: Even if you can’t immediately stop whatever it is, decide when you’ll move away from it – having that end date makes such a difference!
4. Get creative about alternatives: What could you do instead that would light you up? For me, new projects quickly filled the gap with things I actually wanted to be doing
5. Take the first small step: What’s one tiny action you could take today to start moving away from the draining activity?

The “Energy Vampire” Exercise

Here’s a quick exercise that helped me make my decision:

Draw a simple table with three columns:

• Activity/Responsibility
• Energy Score (-10 to +10)
• Financial Value

List everything you do regularly and be brutally honest about the energy score. Something might pay well but score -8 on energy. That’s your vampire!

When I did this, our £200,000 revenue stream scored a -7. The new projects we’ve since developed all score +7 or higher. The difference in creativity has been night and day!

What If You Can’t Just Stop?

Of course I get it. I know we were in a privileged situation to be able to be so ruthless. I know not everyone can just walk away from something like we did (and I’ve certainly had times in the past where I can’t).

If that’s you, try these interim steps:

• Delegate the draining bits: Could someone else take on the parts you find most exhausting? They might actually enjoy them (we all have different strengths!).
• Batch similar tasks: Do all the draining work in one go rather than having it spread throughout your week
• Set boundaries: Maybe you only deal with that draining client/project on certain days or times
• Increase the price: If you can’t stop yet, at least make it more financially worthwhile!

Over to You

Is there something in your work or life that consistently drains you?

I know it might not be possible to immediately stop working on it like we did, but could you make a decision to move away from it and set a timeline?

Even just making that decision can allow you to start concentrating on new things and change your entire outlook.

I’d love to know what you decide to let go of – drop me an email and let me know!