Ever wonder how to think like a CEO as an entrepreneur? I can tell you that I learned it the hard way and it changed everything. When I started my first two businesses, I was a complete and total dabbler, although I would never have admited to it. The first one began while my husband carried the steady paycheck, and the other lived as a “side hustle” that I secretly wanted to become real.

In the beginning, I chased the highlight reel. Big houses, a dream car, and a work from anywhere vibe sounded perfect. I followed the online hype and, to be fair, a few things worked for a while. For the amount of energy and emotion I poured in, the results never matched the dream, which left me frustrated and confused.

It was then, that the following realization hit hard. I was not running a business. I was running a very expensive hobby. Ugh! That hurt. But, the moment I owned that truth, the path forward started to clear.

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The Wake-Up Call

You see, hobbies are wonderful and all. They feed creativity and connection, and they feel meaningful and fun. Here is the catch. They are social and have very few demands. But hobbies cost money, and conversely, businesses exist to make money, like, on purpose.

At that stage, I had no real systems and what’s more, my goals were vague. My strategy relied on motivational quotes and coffee and unproductive conversations with my business besties (also dabblers). Then I walked into my first business conference and everything shifted.

What an eyeopener. I expected people who were winging it like me. Instead, I met women who were intentional. They tracked numbers, set targets, and used growth strategies with focus. There was no dabbling, just leading and directing. That moment taught me a simple truth. If I want CEO results, I must start thinking and acting like a CEO.

If you feel ready to take a next step in the CEO life and rewards check out a free 7-day trial of the Sales Confidence Lab by Genevieve Skory.

Related reading: How to Build Confidence in Sales Without Feeling Pushy.

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The Rusty Water Pump Lesson

What it reminded me of was a camping trip that delivered the lesson that stuck for me. You see, the site had an old hand pump. I started cranking. Nothing. I kept going. Still nothing. Arms burning, sweat rolling, I nearly quit.

Right before I gave up, a faint trickle appeared, then a steady stream. Only after enough pressure built inside the line did the water flow. Business works the same way. You show up, you prime the system, and it looks like nothing is moving. Then momentum arrives and everything begins to flow.

That is why the mindset matters. You keep showing up like a CEO before the proof shows up, and the payoff follows.

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How to Think Like a CEO as an Entrepreneur

Thinking like a CEO is not about a title or a blazer. It shows up in daily choices, clear priorities, and simple systems. These three shifts changed my results fast. If you enjoy this, you might also like this video, How to Think Like a CEO | Playing Business or Building One.

1) Stop Doing Everything and Start Deciding What Matters

Busy does not always mean productive. Most entrepreneurs do not have a time problem. They have a decision problem. Replace long task lists with a short decision list.

• Each morning ask, “What three decisions will move my business forward today?”
• Choose the next right action for each decision.
• Let the rest wait until tomorrow.

Once decisions lead the day, progress compounds and stress drops. For more on decision fatigue, see Harvard Business Review’s guide to avoiding decision fatigue.

2) Set Real Targets and Match the Effort to the Goal

Vague goals create vague action. Clear numbers create clear focus. Use simple math to remove guesswork.

1. Decide your annual revenue goal.
2. Divide by your offer price.
3. Divide by twelve to find monthly sales needed.

Now you have a real target. Match daily effort to that target. Do not expect CEO results with hobby level activity. Check out HubSpot’s sales forecasting guide for practical ways to measure those targets.

3) Protect Your Energy Like It Is Profit

Opportunities will always outnumber your available time. Boundaries protect the business and the leader who runs it. Say yes to what aligns with purpose and profit. Say no to what drains you.

• Audit your calendar each month.
• Keep what compounds revenue or energy.
• Cut what distracts from the plan.

A full calendar is not the flex. A full bank account and peace of mind are the real measure. Learn more about balancing growth and self-care in my article Thinking of Quitting Your Business?.

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When It Finally Clicks

The pump story still guides my coaching. Each boundary, each system, and each focused decision primes the line. For a while it seems quiet. Then, suddenly, the flow begins. It does not trickle. It pours.

Stay long enough to see the payoff. The results arrive after the pressure builds.

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Your Next Move

You do not need permission to take the CEO seat. Perfect systems can come later. Start by choosing, not dabbling, and lead like your business already matters.

You do not become a CEO after you succeed. You start thinking like one, and that creates success. If this message resonates, get on my waitlist or come join The Sales Confidence Lab. Inside, we help entrepreneurs walk through how to sell, scale, and show up like a CEO without burning out.

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FAQ

What does it mean to think like a CEO as an entrepreneur?

It means directing instead of reacting. Make intentional decisions, measure what matters, and build simple systems that support growth.

How do you shift from hobby to business mindset?

Set clear revenue targets, plan activity that matches those targets, and protect your energy like a profit center. Treat your business like it already matters and the results will follow.

Written by Genevieve Skory, Sales Confidence Coach & Business Growth Strategist for Female Entrepreneurs