Following "The Rules" Almost Killed My Business (Here's What I Did Instead)

Business should feel like you—not a template.

I am building a business that feels authentic to me, structured, and rooted in purpose.
But it wasn’t always like this…

I started by following the rules everyone else seemed to swear by.
It left me overwhelmed, misaligned, and wondering why I still felt stuck—even while doing “everything right.”

Turns out, I had to unlearn a lot before I could rebuild something that actually worked for me.

So, to help others avoid this trap I fell into, here's my 5-step roadmap on how to build a values-aligned business:

✅ Step 1: Pause before you build

To achieve Step 1:

• Detox from content and external noise
• Reconnect to your original motivation
• Write your own definition of “success”

Start here, then move onto Step 2.

✅ Step 2: Clarify what you stand for

Now you have two options:

• Build a brand that reflects you
• Keep trying to fit into someone else’s model

There’s no wrong answer, but you must decide.

✅ Step 3: Design offers around your strengths

Focus on two core pillars:

Alignment
• What energizes you
• What you're truly great at
• What your people actually need

Once you master this, focus on:

Sustainability
• Capacity-based planning
• Clear containers and boundaries
• Pricing that honors your energy

✅ Step 4: Build a system for staying grounded

Most people skip this and fall back into hustle cycles.

But here's an easier path: weekly check-ins + visual maps.

Here are awesome options:

• Weekly clarity reset
• Miro/Notion space for decision-making
• Visual planning system (not another to-do list)

This step is your anchor.

✅ Step 5: Show up with intention

This final step is how you:

• Build trust over time
• Attract aligned clients
• Run your business without burning out

Do less but do it on purpose, and you’ll unlock a business that feels like home.

Hope this helps! Let me know in the comments below what resonated the most!

—Tamar