The Surprising Business Lesson I Learned From a Mosquito Bite
The quick relief we all crave is the very thing slowing us down.
This week, I want to tell you about a mosquito bite that taught me something big about entrepreneurship—yep, you read that correctly 😂
I was sitting on the floor, playing with my kids, when the mosquito bites on my ankle started itching like crazy. I knew scratching would only make it worse. I told myself that over and over again…
But I couldn’t stop.
Each scratch gave me one second of relief—and left my ankle bleeding, swollen, and hurting even more later.
I’m sitting there thinking…there must be some awesome lesson I can learn here…
That’s when it hit me: we do the exact same thing in business.
We “scratch the itch” by making quick moves to soothe discomfort:
Taking on a client we know isn’t the right fit
Saying yes to a collaboration that doesn’t feel aligned
Rushing to launch something half-baked just to quiet the pressure we feel
Buying another course or template hoping it will magically fix things
In the moment, these choices give us temporary relief. We feel like we’re doing something—and that little hit of momentum feels good.
But just like scratching that mosquito bite, it leaves a deeper mark.
Why we can’t stop scratching
Fear of sitting with discomfort – It’s hard to pause when things feel itchy and urgent.
A brain wired for fast relief – Our minds crave quick dopamine hits, not long-term patience.
We confuse action with progress – If we’re doing something, it must be helping… right?
We don’t trust the healing process – We think if we’re not scratching, we’re not fixing it.
But here’s the truth: the real healing only happens when we stop scratching.
Step 1: Notice when you’re scratching.
It’s sneaky.
You might think you’re being productive, but if it feels like quick relief instead of intentional strategy, it’s scratching.
For example, I’ve seen entrepreneurs pour weeks into redesigning their website instead of having one uncomfortable sales conversation.
Step 2: Learn to sit with the itch.
This is the hardest part.
It feels wrong to not do something. But space and stillness let you think clearly and heal.
One of my clients said the moment they stopped chasing every “urgent” task, they finally saw what was truly keeping them stuck.
Step 3: Choose healing actions, not soothing scratches.
Healing actions take longer but build sustainable growth:
Instead of rushing a launch → talk to your audience first
Instead of buying another tool → map out your existing process visually
Instead of overcommitting → create a clear, aligned roadmap
When you stop scratching, the itch fades, the wound heals, and you’re stronger than before.
So, the next time you feel that urge to scratch in your business, ask yourself:
👉 “Is this healing me, or just soothing me for a second?”
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
—Tamar