Systems give you power. This was a hard pill for me to swallow. Luckily I have a great support network around me and my friend and strategic partner Charlie nudged me into overcoming my limiting perspective around this. For the longest time, I’ve viewed systems (established processes in business) as something stifling and cold. I knew this was a limiting belief, and it was keeping me from having other people help out and carry some of the load so I could focus on my strengths. So I began thinking… How do I want to view systems instead? The way I framed them before wasn’t something I decided anyway, it was just a perspective I unconsciously picked up. Now I view systems as resources that make me more efficient, increase cooperation, and help me take better care of my people. Why I didn’t do this sooner, I wish I knew.

The bold is my own addition. Jonathan does a good job of communicating the typical belief that creative folks express when you suggest they systematize their business. Let me clear some things up based on my own experiences:

You can’t systematize creativity.

You can’t systematize thought.

You can’t systematize a personal touch.

You can systematize at least 20% what you do.

You can systematize how you do it.

You can bring in the right people to help you that will take your systems and add creativity, thought and a personal touch.

You can do this without much effort once the aspects of your business that do not require your direct efforts has been systematized. This makes its easy to show these special people how and what you do.

We’re here to help you with all of this. Stay tuned.

[ via 2010 Review; Accomplishments & Lessons Learned | Illuminated Mind. ]

In the last installment of the Delegation Experiment we worked through the challenge of deciding what pieces of your business you could, in theory, hand off to someone else to do for you. Because if you plan to delegate, you need to identify what it is you plan to delegate, right? But once we’ve done [...]

“For me, the objective has always been: How do you improve per-hour output to the greatest extent possible? And how do you concurrently design the lifestyle that you want to have? Because I do believe that life is intended to be enjoyed. For many people, they love what they do, but they don’t want to [...]

9. Pay someone to do it. This flies in the face of some theories: “Why work an extra week at your job to afford to hire someone to paint your living room? Work less and paint the living room yourself.” Um, no thanks. My theory is this: earn your money doing something you’re passionate about, [...]

In the opening post of my Delegation Experiment last week, I spent my time lamenting the stress and difficulty in handing the reigns to my business over to someone. It’s frightening to think about. But in the end the conclusion needs to be one of resolve and determination. If I am going to grow my [...]

Some tasks you just shouldn’t be doing yourself, even if you could do it better and faster yourself. By avoiding delegation you are piling up work for yourself that may not be the best use of your time. As a boss you’re the only person who can do Task A. Yet you’re spending your time [...]

I’m at a crossroads with my freelance business. After over two years of plugging away and cranking the levers, I’m at the point where I can’t get enough done in my day. I’ll be the first to admit that this is a great problem to have. But it’s a problem nonetheless. Maybe you’re there as [...]

Recent conversations with some friends have helped me solidify one of my personal “sweet spots”, a value that tends to drive many of the decisions I make. Some people are minimalists. Others are problem solvers. Me? I’m on a mission to eradicate friction from my life. If it’s not as smooth as it could be, [...]

I’m a creative professional. My job as a designer is to solve problems creatively for my clients. My job as a writer is to find thoughtful, inspiring ideas to dialog and share with you, my readers. Whether I’m branding a company or drafting a simple piece for my blog, I’m creating something new. For me, [...]

When it comes to running a successful business, nothing is guaranteed. People search every day for the magic pill, the secret clue that will transform their business and help it burst through the wall between themselves and overnight success. But like everything else in life, there’s no easy way to go about it. It takes [...]