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Three Things You Can Do to Implement Structure
Structure… Now that is a word that makes me cringe every time I hear it. I’ve always hated structure, but I also hate the consequences of not having it. It’s like dieting and working out, it sucks but when you actually do it, the outcome definitely out weighs the process. One of the biggest things I’ve learned this year is that in order for your business to thrive, it simply needs to have structure. This doesn’t mean that there is no time for spontaneity, or adventure here and there but if your life looks my kitchen does then you are in for a long bumpy ride. I am definitely a newbie when it comes to structure and organization, but the things I’ve learned this year have helped me so much that they are simply too good not to share with everyone who may feel like they are sinking in the demands of their business. Here are three things I’ve done (and still learning to do) to implement structure.
1. CREATE A CONSISTENT SCHEDULE
I know everyone’s life and business looks different. Some of us are stay at home moms trying to manage a photography business, while others are working a 9-5, without kids and trying to turn their dream into a career. No matter what your situation, it seems as a business owner we all have one thing in common; there is never enough time! This year was such a wake up call, and I was forced to pick my editing days, and shooting days. Prior to this, I was flying at the seat of my pants when booking appointments, client meetings and shoots, then the editing would just happen whenever it could. Because there was never a designated time to do anything, I was often left feeling guilty about my pile of edits when I would spend time with my family. Then, when I was staying up all night editing to meet deadlines, I was feeling guilty that I couldn’t spend time with my husband in the evenings. Burning yourself out, and still feeling like you’re letting people down is NOT a good feeling, and unfortunately it was one I was consumed by one too many times.
So start small! For me it was simply picking Tuesday’s and Thursdays from 8-5 to work on my editing (those are the day’s Posey goes to daycare). You guys, that is 18 hours of editing (if I am being strict and staying focused). That meant, I could book shoots on Monday’s, Wednesday’s or Friday’s. The weight this will lift off your shoulders is INSANE. Like I said, I know our businesses all look so different when it comes to daily tasks, but if you get creative ANYONE can create a weekly schedule and designate specific days to do certain things. Once you commit to something small and get used to the routine, you can get even more advanced and start allotting time on those days to be more intentional with your time. For example, checking emails only twice a day for 30 minutes each time, or setting one hour of each day to work on blogging. Rather than doing three things at once… My friends, this is call BEING PRODUCTIVE. It is so simple, yet so hard.
Don’t wait, do yourself a favor and start scheduling!
2. USE TRELLO
What is Trello? Only the most AWESOME, in depth organizational tool of all time that I am STILL trying to figure out. I will have to do a more in depth blog post about this soon (maybe when I master it). Trello is a collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards. In one glance, Trello tells you what’s being worked on, who’s working on what, and where something is in a process. I have to admit, the thought of adding new programs to my already growing list of things I need to learn definitely doesn’t appeal to me. But some things are worth it, especially if it means being more organized in the long run. I am such a visual person, and I am constantly writing down to do lists, to buy lists, shoots in progress and sometimes my lists have lists. The downfall to this… It never stays in the same spot. I literally have about 4 or 5 journals and a stack of sticky notes lying all around my desk. Which means, my lists often get ignored because it’s just too cluttered. You can use trello on your phone, and your desktop (I use both). This is STILL a huge work in progress of me, but I am on the road to becoming paperless.
Thanks to Katelyn James for introducing this miracle to me. She even posted a video about how her and Michael use Trello, and you can view it here!
3. SAY NO
Okay, this one may not seem like the best title but it is certainly something I am STRIVING to be able to do. In my opinion, being able to say no is totally related to finding structure in your business. Why? Because if you are a “say YES to everything” person, like myself… The schedule you just worked so hard at making, may be useless. I’ve made so many attempts to only shoot twice a week on certain days, and to not work on Sunday’s. Only to find myself saying yes (“just this one time”), and then wondering why I didn’t have one single Sunday to spend with my family, and no time to edit because I over booked to accommodate clients who were only able to do one specific week. Maybe in your business you told yourself you only wanted to take on 50 new clients in a year, and you booked that many before the year even came. Of COURSE, as a business owner you HATE to let people down, but girl, if you are maxed out its impossible to not let people down. It’s the nature of the business, supply and demand, and you are only one person. Burning yourself out only means you can’t give your everything, and you compromise your craft along with letting your loved ones down because you didn’t allow your self a single day off. Eventually, if you start saying no people will understand that they need to book sooner and you will have SO much peace about serving your clients the way they should be, while not burning the candle stick at both ends. It’s a win win for you you but most importantly it’s a WIN for your clients and your business! You just gotta commit!
I hope this helped you, or made you feel a little motivated to start “getting your shit together”… Sorry but there’s no other way of putting it, and I say this all the time. I must add that I am in NO way a writer, and I have a longgggg way to go. That being said, I have so many thoughts and I am on this crazy journey of learning that I want to be able to share with other business owners, moms or whoever my story may bless. So please be kind, because this scares the crap out of me.
I would LOVE to hear your feedback, what are some things you find bring your business structure and freedom? Do you feel like you are sinking? Or are you thriving because you’ve implemented a system that works? Tell me where you are!
xo
Brittany
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