Stop Planting in the Wrong Season: Signs You're Working on the Wrong Thing in Your Business

Imagine trying to plant tomatoes in the middle of winter. No matter how much effort you put in, how rich the soil is, how often you water, or how carefully you monitor sunlight - you’re not going to get fruit. In business, the same principle applies: working on the right thing at the wrong time can leave you frustrated, drained, and wondering why you're not growing.

Let’s talk about what it means to “plant in the wrong season” in your business and how to spot when it’s happening.

What Does “Wrong Season” Mean in Business?

Every business goes through cycles:

• Startup and foundation building

• Early momentum and sales growth

• System-building and hiring

• Optimization and scale

But sometimes, we get distracted. We start building systems when we haven’t even nailed our offer. Or we’re obsessing over branding when we don’t even have consistent revenue. Or we’re scaling before we have a solid foundation.

It’s easy to get busy - harder to stay focused.

5 Signs You're Working on the Wrong Thing

1. You're Busy, But Revenue Isn’t Moving

If your calendar is full but your sales are flat, you may be avoiding the needle-moving work. Ask yourself:

“Am I hiding in admin tasks because they feel productive?”

Sometimes we spend hours tinkering in ClickUp or Canva when we really need to be talking to customers or fixing an offer that isn’t selling.

2. You’re Building Systems You Don’t Need Yet

Creating SOPs, hiring a VA, or investing in automation can be smart—but only if you’ve got a proven process that needs to be repeated.

Systems are multipliers. They can multiply chaos or clarity.

Make sure what you’re systemizing is working first.

3. You Feel Constantly Overwhelmed (Even When You're “Doing All the Things”)

Overwhelm is often a sign of scattered focus. If you’re juggling five directions at once, it may be time to pause and ask:

“What season am I in, and what’s most important right now?”

Just like plants need certain conditions to thrive, your business needs the right focus in the right phase.

4. Your Financials Don’t Match Your Effort

You’re hustling, but your profit margins are shrinking. Or cash flow is tight even though you’re making sales.

 Your financials are a mirror.

If the money doesn’t make sense, you’re likely investing time in the wrong areas—or neglecting the ones that matter.

5. You're Fixated on Problems That Aren’t Urgent

It’s tempting to solve the most interesting problem instead of the most important one. You might be rebranding when you actually need better follow-up systems. Or redesigning your website instead of working on lead generation.

Ask: “What would actually move the needle this month?”

How to Get Back in the Right Season

Check Your Financial Temperature

•  Your profit & loss statement, cash flow, and balance sheet can help you see what’s actually happening under the surface.

   Look for patterns:

• Where are you overspending?

• Where’s the revenue coming from?

• What activities are producing ROI? Reconnect with Your Goals

•  What’s the real goal for this quarter? Revenue? Consistency? Capacity? Clarity?

•  Let your short-term focus align with your long-term season.

  Cut the Extras

•  Not forever—but for now. Trim back anything that’s not aligned with your current phase of growth. Just like pruning a plant helps it grow stronger.

  Get a Second Set of Eyes

•  Sometimes you’re too close to see it. When you're in the weeds, it's hard to see the big picture. That's where a fresh perspective can be game-changing. Through one-on-one consulting, we help business owners get unstuck by identifying what's actually working, what needs to be simplified, and where to focus next.

  
  

Final Thought: Growth Needs Timing

There’s nothing wrong with your business.

You’re probably just trying to bloom in winter—or harvest in spring.

The good news? The right season always comes back around. When you know what phase you’re in, and you align your energy accordingly, everything feels lighter. Simpler. More fruitful.

Need help figuring out your season?

 Let’s get you clarity before you invest more energy. Seeds was built for business owners like you—ready to grow smarter, not just harder.

👉 Ready to get clarity? Book a free discovery call and let’s figure out what season your business is really in.