There comes a time when you have to say enough is enough and repeat this mantra to yourself “I will implement some creative systems that help me look more like Ivana Trump and less like a crazy chimpanzee going nuts.”
To me this visual sums up the two extremes of types of people in business. Those who are cool, calm, collected and organized, and those that are out of control and overwhelmed.
If you’re somewhere in the middle then what’s holding you back from going all the way to being uber efficient and having a business you work on and not in? I’d make a bet that lack of time has a lot to do with it.
Time is the most important asset you have – and unlike money, once you’ve spent it, you can’t earn any more.
So how do you get more of it? Creating systems that work for you, outsourcing strategically and eliminating distractions. Do this and you’ll be amazed at how you can stay focused on the key priorities to propel your business forward.
The smart people do this from day one. The rest of us ignoramuses (also known as control freaks and highly motivated people) tend to think we can do it all ourselves.
Not smart. Nope. If you have no systems – or very few it’s time to get organized. Here’s how:
Create ongoing systems for your biz
Set Realistic Expectations
Look at your daily list of things you want to achieve. Put the number of uninterrupted hours needed to complete each one next to it. You’ll likely find you’ve not got enough hours in the day to make this work.
When this is the case you need to outsource, delegate or shift them to the following week. A handy tool to use is TeuxDeux.com that is a free simple and easy to use `To Do List’ tool that shifts your items to the following day for you and allows you to see what’s clearly unimportant.
Eliminate Non-Critical Distractions
Oh yes we all have these. Keeping your inbox open and immediately replying to non-important emails, getting lost reading news feeds on Facebook and Twitter updates and flicking between several browers to read blogs and latest articles.
Instead ask yourself: Is this of benefit to my business? Will it make me money? Is this a key customer? Can I help them in anyway that will benefit us both? If the answer is no, then hit DELETE, don’t make that call or shut down that browser or don’t schedule that meeting. Remember your time is precious.
What’s one action you will take this week to simplify your business and simplify your life?
Natalie Sisson is a Kiwi Entrepreneur and Adventure. She finds creative ways to run your business from anywhere using online tools, social media and outsourcing. She’s passionate about getting more women to create freedom in business and adventure in life and blogs about it at The Suitcase Entrepreneur.
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February 14th, 2011 at 11:03 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CRAVE Chicago, CRAVE Chicago, CRAVE Portland, CRAVE NYC, Jennifer Saphier and others. Jennifer Saphier said: Today @nataliesisson shares her can't-miss KISS strategy, starting with developing ongoing systems for your biz! http://bit.ly/e9Q2zn [...]
February 14th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Very nicely articulated, Natalie. Thanks for this great article.
February 14th, 2011 at 11:20 am
Great topic! Very helpful to remind those of us that started 2011 with great intentions on these ideas and who may have slipped off course slightly. Thanks!
February 14th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Why thanks so much Sherry glad you enjoyed. Exactly Andrea – this is precisely why I wrote it – for myself included.