E-Myth Part 1: A New Way Of Thinking

Published On - March 29, 2022

Ted Bonel 6. E-MYTH
“We must never be too busy to take time to sharpen the saw.” — Stephen Covey

If you’ve ever heard the phrase “Work on your business, not just in your business,” you already know the essence of The E-Myth.

But here’s the truth most owners miss: Working on it doesn’t mean you stop working in it. It means that while you’re in it, you’re constantly improving how it works — so it eventually runs without depending on you.

The E-Myth exposes a painful reality: being great at the technical side of your profession — financial advice, design, hairdressing, construction — doesn’t automatically make you great at building a business around it.

Your business is meant to give you more life, freedom, and satisfaction. If it isn’t, it’s time for a new way of thinking.

 

The E-Myth Mindset: It Starts With You

There’s an old Sicilian saying:

“The fish stinks from the head down.”

If you want your business to change, you must change first.

Your business is a mirror of you.
If it’s disorganized, reactive, or chaotic — that reflection starts at the top.
And if it’s values-driven, focused, and disciplined — that’s you, too.

Transformation begins with mindset. You can’t shift the business until you shift how the owner thinks about the business.

 

The Tyranny of Routine

Most small-business owners are trapped in routine — 10- to 14-hour days, six or seven days a week, consumed by the drive to “make it.”

But busyness isn’t productivity.

As Covey warned, if you never stop to sharpen the saw, you’ll keep swinging harder but not smarter.

Ask yourself:

  • When was the last time you stepped back to look at the bigger picture?
  • Are the systems you rely on actually moving you closer to your goals?
  • Or are you simply repeating yesterday’s habits and calling it progress?

Liberate yourself from the tyranny of routine. Reflection is not indulgence; it’s leadership.

 

The E-Myth Hierarchy of Work

Michael Gerber describes three levels that exist inside every organization — whether it’s one person or 20,000:

  1. My Practice – Tactical, where the work gets done.
  2. My Business – Operational, where systems and processes are built.
  3. My Enterprise – Strategic, where vision and growth take shape.

Most owners spend their lives stuck at level one — doing, doing, doing.
But the opportunity for real freedom and scale lives at levels two and three.

When you focus on building systems, you stop working for your business and start making it work for you

 

The Entrepreneurial Myth

Here’s the myth that traps most people:

“Because I know how to do the work, I know how to build a business that does the work.”

That’s not entrepreneurship — that’s an entrepreneurial seizure.

True entrepreneurs don’t just master the craft; they master the system that delivers the craft.
They step out of the technician mindset and build a structure others can succeed within.

 

Final Thought

If what you’re doing isn’t producing the results you want, try something different.

Follow the E-Myth path: change your thinking, systemize your work, and elevate your focus from practice to enterprise.

Because the goal isn’t just to build a business that works.
It’s to build one that works so you don’t have to.

Need help stepping out of “doing” and into “designing”?

Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

To Scale Up your business! Take our Scaling Up/Four Decisions Needs Assessment to discover how your business measures against other Scaled Up companies. We’ll contact you.

TED BONEL, SCALING UP PRACTITIONER – STRATEGY & EXECUTION BUSINESS ADVISORS

Are you looking to scale your business and execute strategy with clarity and impact? I help CEOs and founders turn big ideas into real-world results, guiding small to mid-market companies through tailored strategic insights that drive growth.

My expertise lies in simplifying complexity – bridging high-level strategic frameworks with the practical realities of running a business. Unlike many consultants who focus solely on theory or execution, I specialise in both—translating strategy into actionable, transformative steps that deliver lasting results.

Need help stepping out of “doing” and into “designing”?
Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

 

ABOUT STRATEGY & EXECUTION

For over 20 years, Strategy & Execution has supported leaders and organisations in developing and executing winning strategies. We provide expert facilitation, executive education, and hands-on consulting to help businesses refine their strategic direction and implement it effectively.

Using proven methodologies like Scaling Up, E-Myth Mastery, Outthinker, and more, we challenge conventional thinking and equip organisations with the tools to accelerate growth. Our approach is dynamic—combining deep business experience with practical execution. We don’t just advise; we roll up our sleeves and work alongside you to make strategy happen.

If you’re preparing for a strategy development or execution challenge and are committed to creating real value, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about our work or upcoming workshops