A while back, I used to think that burnout was one of the biggest threats to a growing business.
And yeah… it’s still up there.
But there’s something sneakier that can creep in if you’re not paying attention…
Cruise control.
Here’s what happened:
After years of building out systems, optimizing workflows, and hiring an amazing team, I finally had what I’d been working toward:
Freedom. Flexibility. Breathing room.
Things were running smoothly. The team was doing their thing. Our content engine was on fire (in a good way).
I had room to breathe, think, and take some time off.
But what I didn’t realize was that while everything looked fine… it had also stopped growing.
Nothing was broken. But nothing was evolving either.
No fresh ideas. I accidentally hit the “cruise control” button.
When I lost my content team in December, I was forced to dive back into the business… fast.
At first, I was in survival mode.
But once I was in the day-to-day again, I started noticing things I hadn’t seen in a long time:
❌ Content that felt templated and safe
❌ Systems that were “fine” but clunky
❌ Gaps I had stopped noticing
That hands-on time gave me a level of clarity I didn’t even realize I’d lost.
And from that clarity…
A brand-new idea came to life.
Something I’ve never built before. Something that I’m now calling my “secret project” — and it’s going to raise the bar for this entire space.
(Stay tuned for that… it’s coming.)
But here’s what I really want to share with you today…
️ 4 LESSONS FROM CRUISE CONTROL
1. There are seasons for everything.
Planting, growing, harvesting, clearing… they all matter.
But the most dangerous season is when you don’t realize the season you’re in — and keep coasting when it’s time to drive.
2. Cruise control is earned… but it’s not a destination.
You work hard to earn breathing room…
And to build systems, grow your team, and to buy “back your time”…
But be VERY careful not to stop paying attention to the details.
3. Distance creates blind spots.
If I hadn’t stepped back in, I would’ve missed what we actually needed.
I’m not saying you should do it all… you shouldn’t.
And ABSOLUTELY, trust your team.
But don’t stay so far removed that you lose the thread…
Or worse, someone takes your vision in a new direction, and you don’t even see it happening. These things snowball fast.
Pop back in every now and then.
Look around with fresh eyes and make sure everything still feels like you… and where you’re going.
No one else is carrying the vision. That’s on you.
4. Hard seasons grow stronger roots.
Would I choose for everything to fall apart? Not exactly.
But I wouldn’t trade the lessons I got.
I’m genuinely grateful for it.
It even helped me get my mojo back.
So here’s my question for you:
Where in your business (or your life) have you gone into autopilot?
Where things are working… but maybe not growing?
Might be time to click off cruise control and get and get back behind the wheel.
Make it an amazing day,
Alicia
