Buffering in Business: What It Is, Why It Costs You, and How to Stop
What Is Buffering in Business?
Buffering is a term used in coaching to describe the things we do to avoid feeling negative or uncomfortable emotions.
Outside of business, buffering can look like:
Overeating to avoid stress or sadness
Overspending to feel better in the moment (but creating debt or clutter later)
Scrolling social media instead of processing what we feel
In business, the same pattern shows up — but it’s easier to justify because it looks like “work.”
Common Examples of Buffering in Business
Here are some of the ways businesswomen buffer without realizing it:
Overworking on low-value tasks: cleaning the office, tweaking your website, organizing instead of selling
Hiding behind more training: taking another course, reading another book, but never implementing
Repeating the same actions without evaluating results: posting, emailing, or networking without checking if it’s working
Spinning in blame or drama: blaming the economy, the market, or clients instead of addressing the discomfort of growth
At first glance, these activities feel safe, but they don’t create income or results.
Why Buffering in Business Is Costly
When you buffer in business, you:
Stay “busy” but don’t create the results you want
Burn through energy on things that don’t move the needle
End up under-earning despite working hard
Buffering costs not only money but also time, confidence, and momentum.
How to Stop Buffering and Grow Your Business
The way out isn’t to hustle harder. It’s to pause and notice: What am I avoiding right now?
Ask yourself:
What uncomfortable feeling am I avoiding? (fear, rejection, failure, visibility)
What action am I taking instead? (organizing, over-researching, blaming)
What’s the one scary step I could take that would actually move me forward?
Growth requires us to sit with discomfort, take responsibility, and choose the aligned action that leads to results.
Final Word: Stop Buffering, Start Growing
Buffering isn’t laziness. It’s just your brain’s way of protecting you from the terror of growth. But if you’re tired of being busy without results, it’s time to step out of buffering and into aligned action.
👉 Curious what’s really keeping you stuck in your business? Take my quiz: What’s Blocking Your Business and Income? You’ll discover your unique pattern — and the first steps to move forward with more ease and freedom.
