The Real Reason You Might Be Feeling Stuck in Business

In entrepreneurship, especially in the construction world, there’s this idea that success comes from achieving big milestones—landing a major project, scaling the company, or hitting a revenue goal. But here’s something we don’t talk about enough: success often comes down to the small promises you make to yourself—and whether you keep them.

Think about it. You tell yourself you’ll wake up early, hit the gym, finish that bid, follow up with a potential client, or even just organize your desk. But then you don’t. Maybe you hit snooze, skip the workout, delay the email, or let the task slide to tomorrow. It seems small, right? But over time, those broken promises start to stack up. They chip away at your self-confidence. Not because anyone else notices, but because you notice.

I know this because I’ve been there. For years, I told myself I’d start a podcast. I even launched one seven years ago—but I quit after just a few episodes. Not because I didn’t have ideas or passion, but because I was afraid of what people might think. I let that fear stop me, and every time I thought about the podcast, it reminded me of a promise I didn’t keep. That eats at you more than failure ever could.

But here’s the truth: happiness and fulfillment come from doing the things you say you’re going to do. It’s not about the end goal—it’s about the follow-through. You could have all the money in the world, but if you’re still breaking promises to yourself, you’ll feel like something’s missing.

In business, especially as a contractor, this lesson hits hard. You might set big goals for your company, but are you showing up for the little things? Are you following up on leads, managing your team effectively, and holding yourself accountable? Because those small actions build the foundation of your business—just like rebar and concrete hold up a house.

Here’s what keeping small promises does:

• Builds Self-Trust: Every time you follow through, you strengthen your belief that you can rely on yourself.

• Creates Momentum: Small wins build into bigger wins. One task leads to the next, creating progress.

• Boosts Confidence: Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you earn through consistent action.

The lesson here is simple: keep the promises you make to yourself. They matter more than you think. And if you’re worried about what other people will say? Forget them. You’re not building your business for their approval—you’re building it for you.