It's Time to Work Smarter, Not Harder, to Grow Your Business
On Saturday I tried Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the first time. Within minutes, I was on the ground, trying to breathe while someone twice my size had me in a position I didn't even remember the name for. Every instinct told me to fight my way out, but the more I struggled, the worse it got.
Oh and it gets better... so I got my 2nd and 3rd piercings done on my ears around 8 weeks ago and I totally forgot that I would have to take my piercings out... I figured why not, it had been long enough but apparently 2 hours is enough time for freshly pierced ears to start to close up. I pretty much had to re pierce my ears to get my earrings back in... talk about TRAUMATIC.
Turns out, in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, brute force doesn't win—you need strategy, patience, and the ability to think a few moves ahead. Managing your finances works the same way.
Most business owners try to “muscle” their way through money problems—working harder, taking on more clients, or making quick decisions without a clear plan. But like in BJJ, panicking and reacting instead of being strategic and proactive only puts you in a worse position.
Instead, here’s what works:
Assess the situation
Just like a good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete doesn’t make random moves, financially savvy business owners don’t make money decisions without knowing the full picture. Where is your money going? What’s working? What’s not? The only way for you to have the full financial picture is to have accurate and up-to-date books (shameless plug). But seriously if you're trying to grow your business in 2025, you gotta know your numbers. Whether you do it yourself or have someone like us do it for you, it's time to prioritize your bookkeeping! Without it, you're missing vital information to help you make better business decisions.
Use leverage
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a well-placed grip can give you control over an opponent twice your size. In business, your leverage comes from pricing strategy, solid systems, and making your money work for you—so you’re not relying on sheer effort alone. Because quite frankly... that doesn't work out. You could have the highest sales month you've ever had and not hit the profit you want if things are mismanaged, or not set up with your specific goals in mind.
Think a few moves ahead
As I quickly learned my first time doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you don’t just react—you set yourself up for your next move. With finances, that means planning ahead: Do you have a cash buffer? Are you pricing profitably? Are you making decisions that set you up for long-term stability? Do you need to make adjustments to your business to be able to scale and grow? Asking yourself these questions and having regular money check-ins will help you
So, if you’ve been feeling like you’re constantly fighting to stay afloat financially, maybe it’s time to shift your approach. Less force, more strategy. Less reacting, more planning. That’s how you win—on the mat and in business.
