What If We Ran Life Like We Run Business?
It’s the end of the month, and like clockwork, I grab a cup of coffee, sit down at my desk, and look back. What worked? What didn’t? What’s next? This simple ritual, my Keep/Stop/Start audit, has been part of my routine for as long as I’ve been a business owner. It’s practical, efficient, and gives me clarity for the road ahead. But recently, I started to wonder—what if I used this same approach in the rest of my life?
What This Blog Is About
We put so much energy into planning, assessing, and improving in our professional lives. But what if we brought that same strategy into our personal lives? This blog explores how applying a business tool like the Keep/Stop/Start framework can transform areas like relationships, self-care, and personal growth.
The Business Mindset: A Tool for Clarity
In business, success often comes down to strategy. We’re taught to analyze what’s working, let go of what’s not, and embrace fresh ideas to drive growth. But why don’t we do the same in our personal lives?
Think about it:
In relationships: When was the last time you evaluated what’s strengthening your connections versus what’s causing tension?
In self-care: How often do you ask yourself if your routines are actually recharging you—or if they’ve become just another obligation?
In personal growth: Have you paused to consider which habits are helping you grow and which are holding you back?
By borrowing tools from your professional life, you can bring the same focus and clarity to these personal areas.
Applying the Keep/Stop/Start Framework to Life
The Keep/Stop/Start framework is simple yet powerful. It allows you to reflect on three key questions:
What should I Keep doing because it’s working?
What should I Stop doing because it’s not serving me?
What should I Start doing to bring fresh energy or ideas into my life?
A Personal Reflection: My Self-Care Audit
For me, this realization came when I started to feel stuck in my self-care routine. I was showing up for yoga classes and journaling sessions, but it felt like I was just ticking boxes, not actually feeling better.
So, I decided to audit my self-care:
What worked? Quiet mornings with tea and no phone.
What didn’t work? Trying to meditate at night when I was too tired to focus.
What did I start? A daily post-lunch walk to reset my energy.
These small changes made a big impact. Suddenly, my self-care wasn’t just a checklist—it felt intentional, rejuvenating, and meaningful.
How to Run Life Like a Business
Ready to try this for yourself? Here’s how you can apply the Keep/Stop/Start framework to different areas of your life:
1. Relationships
Keep: What habits or behaviors strengthen your connection with loved ones? (e.g., weekly date nights, morning check-ins).
Stop: What creates friction or disconnect? (e.g., bringing work stress into family time).
Start: What new habits or conversations could deepen your bond? (e.g., scheduling intentional time to talk without distractions).
2. Self-Care
Keep: What routines actually help you recharge? (e.g., quiet mornings, exercise that energizes you).
Stop: What feels like a chore or drains your energy? (e.g., forcing routines that don’t align with your needs).
Start: What have you always wanted to try? (e.g., a new creative hobby, spending time in nature).
3. Personal Growth
Keep: What’s helping you learn and grow? (e.g., reading, pursuing a passion project).
Stop: What’s holding you back? (e.g., scrolling social media mindlessly).
Start: What new challenges or skills could help you level up? (e.g., taking a course, joining a mastermind group).
Why This Approach Works
The beauty of the Keep/Stop/Start framework is its simplicity. It doesn’t require you to overhaul your entire life overnight. Instead, it gives you a clear, actionable way to make small changes that lead to big results.
By running life like a business, you:
Gain clarity: Identify what’s truly serving you and what’s not.
Refocus energy: Stop wasting time on things that don’t align with your goals.
Create momentum: Small adjustments build over time, leading to lasting transformation.
Invitation: Your Turn to Reflect
What would happen if you brought your business brilliance into your personal life? Imagine sitting down at the end of the month and asking yourself:
What’s working in my self-care routine?
What’s not working in my relationships?
What’s something new I’ve been wanting to try?
The answers might surprise you. They might even change everything.
A Closing Reflection
Business teaches us to pay attention—to results, to strategies, to what moves the needle. Life deserves that same attention. The same clarity. The same intention.
So, grab a coffee, find a quiet moment, and ask yourself: What will you Keep? What will you Stop? What will you Start?
The answers are waiting.
Have a great day, come back for more, and remember: Your Future is NOW!
FAQs
1. What is the Keep/Stop/Start framework?
It’s a simple strategy for reflection and growth. You identify what’s working (Keep), what’s not (Stop), and what you want to introduce (Start).
2. Can this framework really apply to personal life?
Absolutely! It’s a great way to bring clarity and intention to relationships, self-care, and personal habits.
3. How often should I do a personal audit?
Once a month is a great starting point, but you can adjust based on your needs. Even a quarterly reflection can bring powerful insights.
4. What if I don’t know what to Stop or Start?
That’s okay! Start small. Reflect on one area of your life, and let the answers come naturally as you pay attention to what feels aligned and what doesn’t.