Optimize Your Business Operations with These Valuable Tips

December 17, 2020

Are your running your business, or is your business running you?

Starting your own business is all about pursuing your passion and getting more control over your time and life.

However, if you’re often wondering whether things are supposed to be this hard and you’re feeling fatigued on a regular basis (and a tad bit demotivated), then this one’s for you.

Here are my two cents on what you can do to optimize your operations and take hold of the reigns in your business!

1. Streamline your workflows

“Streamlining” and “workflows” may sound a bit too terrifying and very technical… but it’s really just a fancy term for laying out all the steps beforehand and knowing where each step is taking you.

To make it easier to understand, let’s say you’re a freelance writer. Streamlining your workflow would mean knowing the exact steps you take each time you write a new article and following them every single time.

In this case, it can include bits and pieces like doing research, reaching out to experts, writing the outline, writing the main body, editing, and whatever else you do.

Now, apply this to every single area of your business – and watch how easier it all becomes!

Pro tip: This is also going to come in handy whenever you’d want to outsource some of your work to others!

2. Get some help

Let’s face it – at one point, trying to do everything yourself becomes just too much.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re drowning in never-ending admin tasks, then it’s time to get some help.

You can hire someone to join the team but if you don’t feel ready to bring another person full time, you can always outsource some tasks. Think social media content, web design, and so on.

Having another set of hands on deck is going to make a dramatic difference in the way you do business.

Not only it’s going to take away some of the pressure but it’s also going to allow you to focus on bigger, more important things in both your life and business.

3. Automate, automate, automate!

Ah, the beauty of living in the 21^st century! I can guarantee you there’s software for every possible issue you keep bumping into.

Let’s say, if social media work is just too time-consuming (and it often is), dedicate a day or two and schedule all content upfront for a month or so.

You could also use automation to optimize processes, not just solve problems.

For instance, a welcoming email sequence to greet every new subscriber is a lifesaver – and leaves a pretty good impression!

Imagine how much time you’d need if you’d have to reach out to everyone individually?

4. Set better boundaries

I know you love your business but that’s exactly why you need to hear this: you don’t need to spend all waking time working.

Actually, that’s a guaranteed way to get yourself in the red burnout zone!

Instead, work on finding the balance between go-time and downtime. Some nice, firm boundaries are going to make wonders for you.

For instance, know exactly when your workday starts and finishes. You can work anytime you want but after you’re done for the day, that’s it!

The same goes for taking calls and replying to emails. Dedicate an hour or so each day for that – it’s more than enough to get everyone a reply just in time.

Pro tip: Learning to say no – to everything and anything that doesn’t resonate with you – is going to save you up a lot of headaches!