As a business leader, you know that running a business is a challenge. One of the things you must face is the chaos that results from your own disorganization and distraction. It’s hard, but you can do it. How do I know this? Because I’ve actually done it from the ground up for two decades.
Based on my own experiences, here are some things you can do to manage your chaos:
You must realize that you cannot do this alone. You must grow a team. Doing it all by yourself can be overwhelming and chaotic. Find the right people by using a psychology tool like a personality test to prequalify and understand people before you hire. You can also start an intern program. Whatever you do, do not hire your friends!
You should also consider putting processes into place that are paperless. This will increase your ability to stay organized. Organize your ideas by getting them out of your head and into the cloud quickly. Create an internal process and communication plan for your team. Consider an external process that you and your team can use with your clients. Make a process and stick to it, learn from it, and make it better.
Productivity tools can help you create processes that are worth investing in. Start small and smart by finding the right productivity tools to keep your team accountable, establish deadlines, and effectively communicate. If you don’t know what tools are right for you, hire a consultant or find a mentor with experience.
Perhaps the most important thing to keep track of is your profit. You must understand your numbers. Understand your overhead, how much you need to run your business, how much you need to live, and how much you need to save. Evaluate this annually as you grow.
Finally, stay focused on your vision, not only your vision for your company, but also your vision for yourself as a leader. If a new shiny object comes along, but it doesn’t align with your vision, then the answer is no. Create boundaries: you do not need to say yes to everything and everyone. Overall, lead with passion. The money will follow.
