I bang on a lot about the importance of processes in small business. That's because processes are key to an efficient, smooth-running business - something we all strive for. As April is stress awareness month this blog delves a bit more deeply into how robust processes reduce stress for small business owners.
Processes create thinking space
Having enough space to think is vital if we are going to succeed. Thinking space fuels creativity, enables us to focus and allows our brains to rest.
We can create thinking space by putting clear, written processes into our businesses.
Once you have written down a client onboarding process, for example, you no longer have to hold all that information in your head. You can forget about it until you actually need to use it. And when you do, the work runs more smoothly because you don't have to dig around in the recesses of your brain trying to remember the next steps.
Processes reduce workload
At first this seems counter-intuitive - how can adding something like "Create process" to your to-do list reduce your workload?
It's one extra piece of work in the short term, which will reduce your workload hugely in the long term.
A written procedure means not having to stop and remember each step in a process, which saves you time. The task gets done more quickly, meaning the rest of your workload doesn't back up so much. You are therefore less stressed and better able to focus on the job in hand. Which in turn enables you to complete the next task more quickly. And so on.
A written process also makes it tons easier to delegate work. Have a quick chat about the task/s, handover the process and you may never have to do that job again.
Processes reduce repetition
Starting a task from scratch over and over again can be incredibly stressful. Especially if it's routine work that isn't immediately serving or attracting clients. The knowledge that you could be doing something else while a task takes up more time than it should also adds to your stress levels.
Having a process saves time and identifies where repetition occurs. For example you'll be able to see where the same email goes out each time, or where a particular document needs to be sent. Creating templates for these emails and documents reduces the time you spend thinking about what to write and the hours you spend creating the documents themselves.
Instead of starting from scratch each time, you spend a couple of minutes tweaking what's there and you're good to go. Time saved. Stress levels down.
If your admin causes more stress than serenity call me to chat about how we can make your business more efficient.
Helen Leach VA Services specialises in helping small business owners implement and streamline processes. I take on the day-to-day admin enabling you to focus on your business and serve your clients. Get in touch to find out how to take your business from chaos to calm.
Having enough space to think is vital if we are going to succeed. Thinking space fuels creativity, enables us to focus and allows our brains to rest.
We can create thinking space by putting clear, written processes into our businesses.
Once you have written down a client onboarding process, for example, you no longer have to hold all that information in your head. You can forget about it until you actually need to use it. And when you do, the work runs more smoothly because you don't have to dig around in the recesses of your brain trying to remember the next steps.
Processes reduce workload
At first this seems counter-intuitive - how can adding something like "Create process" to your to-do list reduce your workload?
It's one extra piece of work in the short term, which will reduce your workload hugely in the long term.
A written procedure means not having to stop and remember each step in a process, which saves you time. The task gets done more quickly, meaning the rest of your workload doesn't back up so much. You are therefore less stressed and better able to focus on the job in hand. Which in turn enables you to complete the next task more quickly. And so on.
A written process also makes it tons easier to delegate work. Have a quick chat about the task/s, handover the process and you may never have to do that job again.
Processes reduce repetition
Starting a task from scratch over and over again can be incredibly stressful. Especially if it's routine work that isn't immediately serving or attracting clients. The knowledge that you could be doing something else while a task takes up more time than it should also adds to your stress levels.
Having a process saves time and identifies where repetition occurs. For example you'll be able to see where the same email goes out each time, or where a particular document needs to be sent. Creating templates for these emails and documents reduces the time you spend thinking about what to write and the hours you spend creating the documents themselves.
Instead of starting from scratch each time, you spend a couple of minutes tweaking what's there and you're good to go. Time saved. Stress levels down.
If your admin causes more stress than serenity call me to chat about how we can make your business more efficient.
Helen Leach VA Services specialises in helping small business owners implement and streamline processes. I take on the day-to-day admin enabling you to focus on your business and serve your clients. Get in touch to find out how to take your business from chaos to calm.
RSS Feed
