The Founder’s Bottleneck, Why You Need to Stop Asking "How"

The Lesson from Day 1930

Today marks Day 1,930 of my consecutive daily running streak. As I hit the pavement today in my barefoot-style footwear, I found myself reflecting on a concept that has completely shifted my perspective on growth: Dan Sullivan’s "Who Not How."

For a long time, I’ve been a "How" person. When a challenge arises, my default setting is to ask, "How do I solve this?" or "How do I build this system?" It’s a common trait among entrepreneurs and high-performers, we pride ourselves on our ability to figure things out. But there is a dangerous trap in that mindset. When you are the one figuring out every "how," you become the ultimate bottleneck to your own mission.

Scaling the Mission

My mission is clear: I am running 40,075km, a full lap of the world, to raise £1M for children’s causes. At the time of this run, I'd been at it for over five years without missing a single day. But as the scale of this project grows, the realisation has set in that I cannot reach the finish line alone.

If I spend my energy trying to master every technical detail or operational hurdle, I am taking energy away from the run and the advocacy that actually drives the mission forward. Dan Sullivan’s philosophy is simple but transformative: instead of asking "How can I do this?", ask "Who can do this for me?"

Who, Not How

By shifting the focus to finding the right "Who", someone whose unique ability is the very thing you are struggling with, you create exponential growth. It isn't just about delegating; it’s about acknowledging that your time is best spent in your zone of genius. For me, that is consistency, resilience, and leading this movement.

Whether it’s managing the digital infrastructure for my consultancy, Digital Operations Director, or coordinating the logistics of a global run, I have to find the people who can execute better than I can. This is the only way to ensure that the £1M goal for children isn't just a dream, but an eventual reality.

A Final Thought for Today

What "How" are you currently wrestling with that should actually be a "Who"? We often hold onto tasks because we think we’re saving time or money, but we’re actually sacrificing our long-term vision.

I’m back to the run now, pushing closer to that 40,075km mark. Tomorrow is another day, another run, and another opportunity to find the right people to help carry this mission further.

Stay resilient.