Key takeaways
- Most construction owners start because they are good at the craft, then find years later they are busy but not profitable; the fix is learning the math of the business once.
- The bigger, strategic problem is time: plan focus time before the week turns into fire-fighting.
- Capping his own week at 45 hours made Shawn happier and, via Parkinson's law, no less productive.
- Design your ideal week and treat overtime as a trade you integrate, not a default; ask whether weekend work actually moves the business forward.
- Start with two hours of office time, grow it into an admin day, set expectations with clients and crew, and hire people who love the bookwork you hate.
About this episode
If you think running projects can be difficult, you should try running a business! On this episode of Time Limit, Shawn Van Dyke digs in to the many highs and lows of running a construction business. It’s a wide-ranging conversation that touches on a lot of points that will resonate for you, no matter your industry or whether you’re a business owner or a project leader. Topics discussed include:
- Challenges you might face on projects, particularly in construction
- Changing the way you act, work, and think when running a business
- How to use the Paperwork Punch List: 28 Days to Streamline Your Construction Business
- Achieving work-life integration
- Finding the time to keep up with project work and administrative work