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The Obstacle Is The Way!
Stephen Edwards
March 03, 2025
Table of Contents
Hey everyone, Stephen Edwards here from Gro Profit First!
Overcoming Obstacles to Build a Profitable Business
Welcome to this week’s Profit First Podcast! Whether you’re watching, reading, or listening via our newsletter, I appreciate you tuning in. As always, I’m here to help business owners and entrepreneurs like you build a profitable, sustainable business—without the stress and overwhelm that often comes with growth.
Look at this Calzone!
I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and managed to switch off from business for a bit! This weekend, we had a lovely Italian meal in Tewkesbury, a nearby town since we’re based in Cheltenham. The food was incredible, and we capped off the evening by watching a live orchestra at the local Abbey. It was an amazing experience—although, to be honest, it was a little longer than I would have liked!
One highlight from the meal? The calzone was absolutely massive! I didn’t get one myself, but for all the foodies out there, here’s a picture of it. Let me know if you’ve ever had a calzone that big!
Why Profit First Matters
We’ve all heard the phrase: Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity. But what does that really mean? It means that growth without sustainability is meaningless. Your business should not only generate revenue but also support you and your lifestyle. Financial success is a key piece of the puzzle, but it’s not the only part. That’s why, while I’ll continue sharing Profit First insights, I also want to bring in real client stories, practical tips, and advanced strategies to help you along your journey.
Where Business Owners Go Wrong
Let’s get straight into it. One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make is focusing on the wrong things. And I’ll be the first to admit—I’ve been guilty of this too! It’s easy to get caught up in the search for the next big thing:
The latest business book
The next podcast episode
Another workshop, seminar, or mastermind
But here’s the truth: In 2025, we don’t need more information. We need more focus, action, and implementation.
The real problem isn’t a lack of knowledge; it’s that we keep looking for external solutions instead of fixing what’s already holding us back.
Fix the Leaks Before You Add More Water
This principle ties back to Profit First. If you’re pouring more money into your business without fixing inefficiencies, it’s like trying to fill a leaky bucket. You’re working harder but not seeing the rewards. Instead of always looking for more customers, more leads, or more revenue, take a step back and identify the real constraints in your business.
The Obstacle Is the Way
This concept is inspired by Ryan Holiday’s book, “The Obstacle Is the Way”, which is based on Stoic philosophy from Marcus Aurelius. Instead of avoiding problems, we should see them as opportunities for growth. I’ve created an exercise to help you uncover what’s truly holding you back.
The Business Constraints Exercise
I recently did this exercise myself, and I’d love for you to try it too. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Identify Your Obstacles
Take a piece of paper (or a distraction-free digital tool) and write down all the obstacles, challenges, and constraints in your business. Get everything out of your head and onto paper.
Step 2: Group Similar Challenges Together
Look at your list and group similar issues. For example:
People-related challenges (hiring, training, delegation)
Marketing challenges (lead generation, messaging, pricing)
Financial challenges (cash flow, pricing strategies, profitability)
Miscellaneous (anything else that doesn’t fit neatly into a category)
Step 3: Name Your Themes
Once you’ve grouped them, label each category. This gives you clarity on your main challenges.
Step 4: Prioritize Based on Cause and Effect
Now, put your themes in order. Ask yourself:
What’s the root cause of my challenges?
What issues are symptoms of a deeper problem?
For example, if you have cash flow problems but also issues with clients not paying enough, the real issue is pricing, not cash flow. Fix the cause, and the symptoms will resolve themselves.
What I Learned from This Exercise
I always thought that acquiring new clients was the key to business growth. But after doing this exercise, I realized that serving existing clients better was even more important. And beyond that, the biggest bottleneck was our team, systems, and processes. Without a strong foundation, no amount of marketing or lead generation will fix deeper operational issues.
The Takeaway: Focus on Removing Obstacles, Not Chasing Shiny Objects
Too many of us chase new strategies instead of fixing what’s broken. This week, I encourage you to do the exercise and see where your real constraints lie.
If you do this exercise, I’d love to hear from you! Share your insights with me via email or on social media. Let’s break through these obstacles together and build truly profitable businesses.
Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll catch you in next week’s episode of the Profit First Podcast!
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