I want to share something with you today that took me far too long to fully understand in my own journey.

Every win, every failure, every moment of “aha!” in business can be boiled down to one unchangeable truth:

You pay for everything.

That’s it. That’s the rule. The only question is how you’re going to pay.

You’ll either pay with time

• by trying to figure it all out yourself, Googling solutions, learning through trial and error, and reinventing the wheel at every turn.

Or you'll pay with money

• by hiring people who’ve already been where you’re trying to go, investing in tools, systems, or coaching that accelerate the results.

And sometimes, you pay with both.

But no matter what route you choose, the bill always comes.

And the most successful business owners I work with, those growing fast, staying profitable, and creating the life they actually want...aren’t trying to avoid the cost.

They’re just smart about how they pay it.

Here’s what I mean:

• The DIY trap is real. Trying to “save money” by doing everything yourself often ends up being the most expensive route of all. The hidden cost? Years of lost opportunity, burnout, and avoidable mistakes.
• The right investments pay for themselves. Whether it’s hiring an expert, joining a program, or paying for tech that automates your workflow—when chosen wisely, these are not expenses. They’re growth levers.
• Speed is a competitive advantage. In today’s market, the person who learns fastest, adapts quickest, and makes decisions without hesitation wins. Buying speed (with the right guidance or tools) is often the smartest move you can make.

The reason I’m telling you this?

Because I see too many good business owners - people like you - become stuck...

...not because they aren’t capable, but because they’re still trying to “earn their stripes” by doing it the hard way.

There’s no badge of honour for spending five years learning what someone could’ve taught you in five weeks.

So ask yourself:

• Where am I currently paying with my time when I could be accelerating with money?
• What’s the actual cost of staying where I am for another 6 months?
• And what would change if I made decisions like the "Ultimate CEO" I’m trying to become?

There are no free wins in business. But there are smarter ways to win.

If you’re ready to stop trying to do it all yourself and start accelerating the right way, then maybe there is a need to think wider than you have done before.

Here’s to making smarter moves and getting further, faster.

Talk soon,
Jim

P.S. Whether you’re paying with time or money right now - make sure you’re at least buying progress. Standing still is the only thing that costs everything and returns nothing.