Building a business is about more than sales, marketing, and flexing on social media. While those things tend to draw attention, they attract the wrong type of clients and are not how you build a sustainable and freedom-focused business.

It takes more than you feel is possible to have enough energy to do the growth work consistently. Successful businesses are more than the laptop lifestyle or all the other misleading things you see in social media ads. It’s more than the cute memes. 

Reaching new revenue milestones and achieving higher growth levels happens when you’re strategic about what you consume, who you connect with, and what you decide to implement. 

If you study any successful leader, you’ll see a person committed to their personal optimization. They spend time, energy, and resources focusing on creating healthy habits. They are the CEO of their life, leading to more focus on the growth of their business. Here are four essential growth strategies every leader should consider adding to their life and business as they’re building an empire. 

1. Be a Boss and Give Off Boss Energy

An entrepreneur tends to wear many hats, especially as you’re in the initial stages of building a business. You’re the salesperson, fulfillment specialist, onboarding team, tech support, and everything in-between. When you’re frantically doing all the work, you’re not giving off boss energy. When you don’t look at ways to leverage yourself, you’re not a CEO.

Finances may not be where you’d like them to be, but there are opportunities to outsource cost-effectively. If you aren’t there with your resources, ask yourself how many sales you’ll need to make today to afford outsourcing options — then, get to work. 

Your energy does all the talking before you ever do. Believe you’re a boss CEO and make decisions from a place of strength. Give off that strong energy that tells potential consumers you are someone they should pay attention to. 

2. Stop Chasing Opportunities 

Have you scrolled social media and seen a post that says something to the effect of, “I’m looking for X expert to help me do Z”? What you’ll notice next are hundreds of “pick me” commenters trying to get business. 

Too often, business leaders chase opportunities. The chasing vibe turns away high-end clients and is revealing. Those “pick me” posts are mainly for attention, and when you show up on one of them, it tells prospects you’re hurting. The chasing chases away business. 

Instead of chasing, nurture, and draw in potential business through solid content marketing and modern visibility strategies. When you show expertise through content, cold prospects want the next steps and invest with you. When you show up powerfully where your ideal consumers are, they want to know more. 

Boss level doesn’t chase. It’s strategic about the strategies and moves that need to happen for consumers to come to you. Think of any successful CEO; you don’t see them chasing. Believe in what’s possible and focus on nurturing instead of pursuing growth opportunities.

“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.” – Napoleon Hill

3. Continue to Optimize Your Time

If you’re going to do everything it takes to build a business, you’ll need to optimize how you go about that. Your time is a precious resource that should be treated accordingly and have clear boundaries. You’re the CEO — your time should be spent on the high-level growth tasks that build a business over time. Don’t get caught in the busy work because that’s one of the quickest ways to stunt growth. 

The reality is that you probably don’t need more time. What needs to happen with your time is using it more effectively. Take full advantage of the time you do have by saying NO to distractions and focusing. 

4. Charge Based on Value and Deliver 

Charging more for products and services is an area that often frustrates too many business leaders. If you plan to deliver clear value, you can’t be afraid to charge according to that value and by respecting your time. 

Whatever your prices are, it’s a safe bet they’re low — your time is valuable. Often, entrepreneurs think the key to growth is more clients. Your next level of development can come from fewer clients but with higher prices. 

Once you do charge accordingly, make sure you deliver. Too often, entrepreneurs are better at selling than fulfilling. Don’t be that entrepreneur. 

Nothing stops you from living an unlimited life and building a business that creates freedom and financial security. You’ll get there with a strong mindset that’s ready to put in the consistent growth work. Use these four strategies and claim the business you deserve.