Each process is different, but they are easy to organize if they are defined by type. This will not only help you structure them more easily, but will also help you better manage them, once there.
I am convinced that one of the biggest threats to the adult mind is the amount of everyday information we store in it. All day, our brains are sifting through thousands of to-dos and incomplete items:
You forgot to return your client’s call.
The proposal has not gone out yet.
Taxes are going to be due soon, and you have not prepared the documentation.
The printer is acting up and will have to be repaired.
You need to start hiring for a new marketing position.
It is relentless. The reminders do not stop until we complete the tasks. The brain’s goal is to make sure we survive, and this is one of the ways it helps us. And your brain is right: the information is useful and important.
Reading business articles and books is one of the best ways to learn, keep up-to-date, and discover new ideas for growing a business. With all the resources available today, the options are endless; one can learn about any topic imaginable, and this is an opportunity for expansion.
However, reading is only half of the process. As one starts to absorb more information, there is a problem that arises: how to organize and sift through all the new ideas and information from the books and articles. It would be ideal to implement some of this new and acquired knowledge, but how can one best classify and organize all the ideas in the readings?
I have struggled with this problem myself, and have found the following steps helpful for managing and organizing the information I find within the articles and books I read.
Sooner or later, your business will grow to the level where you alone can no longer get everything done. It is inevitable: to grow and stay on track with business demands, more help is required.
Hiring a firm’s first employee is a big change that is both positive and challenging. The new hire will not only take on part of the workload but will hopefully bring new skills and practices that weren’t previously available at the firm.
The goal is to train and set the new hire up to be as successful as possible.
Days are full of activity and go by in the blink of an eye. Between one thing and the next, it will show if ideas and work are not managed properly. We will miss a deadline, forget to call a big client back or drop the ball on an important assignment. Executing is key but so is following-up to ensure that everything that was needed to be done was done on time.
Fear not: there are ways to combat this. All that is necessary is developing a system to keep track of all your to-do list items and ensuring the system works to follow through on all these tasks.
As you grow your business, you will need to rely on many capabilities, which you may not have within your firm. But what happens if it is only you and a few employees? Your budget probably doesn’t allow for hiring a professional for each of your many needs.
This is where freelancers come in. They can truly be lifesavers for a small firm. Expert freelancers exist who specialize in anything you can imagine. They can work with your firm on a short-term, contract or ad-hoc basis, helping to solve your current (and future) problems.
Starting a new project from ground zero is probably one of the hardest things to do. Sometimes I have a wonderful idea, a whole new project I’m ready to start. I’m convinced it’ll change everything for the better and I’m ready to go. Then, I sit down in front of my computer to start working and everything suddenly goes blank, leaving me with no clue where to start.
When this happens, I try to go back and re-discover my original inspiration. Even though the excitement is almost always still there, I don’t know how to get started. I usually sit there for a few more minutes until I can’t take it anymore. Finally, I end up shutting down my computer and continuing with my day so it doesn’t feel wasted.