The Dread

Not many people look forward to developing systems. In the business world there is a particular dread associated with creating SOPs. We know we need a system or process for how to onboard a new client or a new hire but creating it is no fun. However, having those processes in place, means you feel more confident in getting new business, expanding your team or preparing to sell

The Payoff

The reward for building out systems is essentially the same payoff as creating great habits. You get more of your time and mental energy back. Time and mental capacity are valuable resources that you can then put towards things you want to do rather than stressing about things you should or need to do. Bonus: when you have a system you can rely on for onboarding new clients, guess what? you onboard more new clients. Bottlenecks or non-existent processes cost time, energy, and money.

How We Approach System Building Goals

Since we have a lot of experience in helping people build systems for life and business we know two things for sure.

1. People naturally resist doing this type of work, which is one of the reasons they come to us. They want us to simplify it, pace it out, and help them stay accountable to getting it done.
2. It’s worth doing. It creates more freedom and ease. Along with more of what you want – clients, the right team members, better organization, more creativity.

Start Small

A client came to us with a long list of systems and processes they want to put into place in their successful small business this year. We started with the process for onboarding new clients. Fortunately, there was already a process in place but it needed updating.

That’s a great one to start with because it’s an important process, arguably the most important, and it’s also easier because they didn’t have to start from scratch.

The first week’s commitment was really simple. Spend 15 minutes reviewing the process and noting what needs to be updated.

You’ll notice the commitment is not to update the process. In our experience, the best practice is to:

• Pick one system to focus on.
• Put a small amount of time that you want to spend on it (bonus if you do more but not necessary).
• Note what your next step is, commit to getting that done next.

Time Your Tasks

Putting a time around a weekly commitment is a technique we use all the time – because it works. It is extremely useful because more often than not, when we commit to doing something we are optimistic about how much time we have and how much time the task will take. When we have to execute, we experience uncertainty, and we don’t want to start without being able to finish. Putting a small amount of time i.e. 15 minutes gets you started and allows you to finish the commitment.

Build Momentum

Remember what Mark Twain said,

Getting started is generally the hardest part of any multi-step project. And building systems is something that requires design, testing, and adjustment. Our focus when we are working with these types of goals is on momentum, which depends on consistency. Working a little bit each week, tweaking as you go, also makes your systems sticky which is what you want. You don’t want to build something you don’t use. You want it to be something you practice using as you build it.

Especially at this time of year, when people come in excited about the New Year, we know that excitement dies within a couple of weeks, and that momentum is much more reliable and sustainable.

So the mantra for you to take home is start small, make your first step extremely doable, and much easier than you might otherwise make it. And complete it. Then make your next small step. In these first four weeks of the year, our focus is on momentum builders over quick change.

Slow and steady very quickly turns into consistency and completion and then before you know it, freedom and ease.

If this approach resonates and you’d like support building systems at a steady, intentional pace, our private coaching program may be a good next step. It’s are designed to help you clarify what you are working on, stay accountable over time, and make sustainable progress.