During busy season, the thing that drains your focus fastest isn’t usually the big decisions.
It’s the small things, the constant interruptions.
Someone on your team has a question. Then another question. Then another. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your team to stop asking you for every answer, you’re not alone.
As a business owner myself, I can tell you personally that this is one of the biggest hidden energy costs of running a business, especially when things are moving fast.
Every interruption pulls you out of whatever you were actually trying to focus on, and it can take real effort to get back into it.
The “Three and Then Me” Rule
The fix I started using is called “Three and Then Me.” It was so helpful that I started recommending it to clients too.
Before your team brings you a question, they look for the answer in three other places first.
When someone comes to you, your question back is simple.
Where have you looked so far? What were your first three sources?
This takes discipline on your part. You have to actually hold them to it, even when it’s faster in the moment to just give them an answer.
But once your team realizes you’re not going to stop what you’re doing to solve the issue, something shifts.
They get more resourceful and you get your focus back.
The Answers Have to Be Findable
But there’s a corollary that makes this work. The answers actually have to be findable.
You need a knowledge base, documented processes, training materials.
If the information doesn’t exist anywhere yet, that’s on you to create it.
Then it’s their job to go find it.
This way busy season stops being a constant stream of interruptions and starts being the season where your team steps up and grows.
Cyndi
As my book research, I’m curious where you gather. Which ecommerce community do you participate in?
If not one of these options, reply and let me know where you’re at!
Million Dollars Sellers (MDS) or eComFuel (formerly eCommerceFuel)
A free Facebook, Reddit, or Discord group
I’m not part of an ecommerce group right now
Quick Summary
- Constant team questions are one of the biggest hidden energy costs for business owners, especially during busy season.
- The “Three and Then Me” rule asks team members to check three sources before bringing a question to the owner.
- Owners must hold the line consistently, even when answering directly feels faster.
- The rule only works if answers are findable through a knowledge base, documented processes (SOPs), and training materials.
- The result: a more resourceful, self-sufficient team and an owner who gets their focus back.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my team to stop asking me for every answer?
Use the “Three and Then Me” rule. Before anyone brings you a question, they check three other sources first. When they come to you, ask where they’ve already looked. Consistency is what makes the habit stick.
What is the “Three and Then Me” rule?
It’s a simple delegation practice used by Cyndi Thomason of Your Profit Team. Team members must search three places (such as a knowledge base, SOPs, or training materials) before escalating a question to the business owner.
What do I need in place for my team to find answers on their own?
A knowledge base, documented processes, and training materials. If the information doesn’t exist yet, the owner’s job is to create it so the team can find it.
Why are interruptions so costly for ecommerce business owners?
Each interruption pulls you out of focused work, and getting back into it takes real effort. During busy season, that lost focus adds up quickly and takes attention away from the decisions that drive profit.
Get Your Focus Back for the Decisions That Matter
When your team is more self-sufficient, you have the space to focus on profit, cash flow, and strategy. If you want a partner to help you lead your ecommerce business with clarity, book a discovery call with Your Profit Team.
Related reading: What Do I Do When I’m Too Overwhelmed to Think Clearly? | How Do I Get Out of Crisis Mode and Start Thinking Strategically?
