Too many things in this life are complicated, we engage in large quantities of work daily a lot of which probably doesn’t have to be done. When I look back at the mountains of work I’ve done in the past to start my business, probably only twenty per cent made a real difference. My aim is to move towards a simpler life, one where we only do the essential. One where we don’t waste precious moments of our life doing stuff that doesn’t need to be done. So when starting a new business, start the way you mean to continue, keep it simple and focus on the bits that really matter.
“Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication” Leonardo Da Vinci
Here is the Minimalist’s Guide to starting a new venture, in 10 simple steps
- Focus on strengths
- Delegate or Outsource
- Barter
- Create Alliances
- No distractions – time wasters
- Start Paperless
- Stay Clutter Free
- Maintain a Zen Inbox
- Do a Weekly Review
- Think Simplicity
One of the mistakes small business people make is to try and do everything, sales, marketing, accounts you name it they do it. If you want your business to succeed in the shortest possible time, “only do what only you can do” You have strengths to bring to the business, focus on them.
If you can get anyone else to do the work for you, delegate. I have used my teenage son at times to do graphics and animations for my website. Call in the cavalry and get as much help as possible.
If you can’t afford to get the experts to do certain work for you, consider offering a service swap. Can you do something for them if they do it for you? A lot of small businesses start in this way. Allowing them to get expert services in return for their time.
Alliances are another great way to share the workload and get things done by other experts. Maybe there are projects you can work on in conjunction with someone else. Projects that will move forward much more quickly when collaborated on. As I always say it is better to earn half of something than the full amount of nothing!
Cut out the time wasting activities. Focus on the things that matter. Don’t waste your precious time on social media, yes it is important to create a presence online but it is more important to have a good product or service and to focus on selling it.
Start the way you mean to continue and get all your bills electronically. Scan all invoices, statements or other documents received. Start an effective paperless filing system from the start you will be glad you took the time at the start to create the paperless office.
Keep your desk and computer clutter-free. The clearer your desk the clearer your mind. A clean desk allows for greater focus and concentration.
Keep your inbox clear, every day process your email using the FAT method, by doing this you will create a positive habit of organising your tasks and calendar every day to schedule the important work daily.
Review your tasks and email weekly and make sure everything is up to date, that you haven’t’ forgotten about anything during the week
Also try to keep things simple, often you will find after exhausting numerous complex solutions to a problem the answer is the simplest. Try to make your business and your life as simple as possible. It reduces stress, anxiety and it will leave you calmer more relaxed, happier and definitely happier.
Other articles you may be interested in:
Simplicity, one of the secrets to success
3 Crucial Lessons to Get Stuff Done when Time is Scarce
How to Maintain the Flow when Motivation Fades
These 10 tips are great, Ciara, but I love your opening paragraph the most! “Start the way you mean to continue” is the best bit of advice I’ve seen in quite awhile. This has really reminded me to be conscious of what is essential and what is not in my daily work. Thanks!
Bobbi Emel recently posted..Choosing to bounce back
Thanks Bobbi, it’s true even if you are not starting out in business these are good practices to implement, I regularly ask myself am I complicating things can I make this more simple?
Ciara recently posted..The Minimalist Guide to Starting a Business
Love it – Thinking Simplicity is huge. Most people spend way too much time complicating things for themselves!
Lori Lynn Smith recently posted..How to set up a Self Sustainability Group
Perfect timing for me Ciara. While I am in the midst of reworking Art Epicurean I find sooo many distractions. Social media being one of the biggest time sappers. Unfortunately I do not the resources to outsource the work but thinking of some creative ways to barter or get a college intern. The technical things are one of biggest challenges since I am on a huge learning curve everytime I want to do something new. But also want to learn the tech stuff so I can update, video, podcasts, etc. Think simplicity – the best tip. Thanks.
Jane Robinson recently posted..How to write your personal creative mission statement
This is a great list, Ciara. I’m going to forward them to my daughter who is starting a business and getting caught on a few of these! Thanks!
Marilyn Price-Mitchell PhD recently posted..So You Think Your Child’s A Genius?
Great thanks Marilyn I hope she finds it useful, wish her luck with the new venture.
Ciara recently posted..Top Productivity Bloggers Share their #1 Tip
Love, love, love this post. Simplicity is the key and i really needed this reminder. I can find myself caught it in so many tasks that are challenging for me. I am now going to barter for services. Thanks – very timely.
Jane Robinson recently posted..How to write your personal creative mission statement
Excellent list Ciara.
I have never heard anyone mention the Barter method but I think it is a great idea. Sometimes we can give more value with our time, knowledge and skill than we can with any dollar amount.
I am not familiar with the “FAT” method. Could you direct me to the page where you explain it? =-)
Clear desk clear mind! I need to just take a leaf blower to my desk right now. It’s amazing I get anything done at all.
Printing this checklist and stapling it to my monitor right now
Coach Comeback recently posted..23 Ways To Stop Complaining and Start Creating
These are great tips, Ciara. I think I could definitely delegate/outsource more. With the blog design, for example – I have no idea what I’m doing! It’s kinda fun figuring it out, but my energy would probably be better spent on my strengths.
Kaylee recently posted..Why You Should Play the Comparison Game
I have started my own business in order to simplify my life. I have particularly focused on staying clutter free (no time wasters) and no distractions ie stay focused one one thing at a time in blocks of time without distractions.
Goodness gracious Ciara. We are in alignment on a TON of stuff. Every time I hear someone else recommend going paperless, I almost want to shout, “Yes. YES!”
For a very short post, there was some good practical info in it. What are your thoughts on adding an 11th item of doing a weekly planning session to compliment the weekly review session?
Joel Zaslofsky recently posted..Continuous Creation Challenge: Community Craziness, Experience, and Insight
I just bookmarked this post, so that I remind myself to re-read this sometime in the future.
I recently spent a few weeks taking the time to re-focus on my strengths – the result: much less stress, more value creation.
Good Luck Priska, love the new site by the way.
Ciara recently posted..Aspire to Email Zen with these 10 tips
Yes Joel maybe we will have to challenge each other to go paperless and document the journey?? Can’t wait to read the results of your Continuous Creation Challenge
Ciara recently posted..Top Productivity Bloggers Share their #1 Tip
Apologies James, I didn’t explain the FAT method. It stands for File, Act or Trash. Every email in your inbox or every piece of paper in your intray can be dealt with in this way. File and Trash are obvious but with Act you need to decide is it an appointment, then it goes into your calendar or if it is a task it goes into your task management system. If it takes less than 2 mins do it now. Maybe I should write a longer post on it!
Ciara recently posted..Aspire to Email Zen with these 10 tips
Well done Amit, I know it’s a difficult process focusing on your strengths and only your strengths. I refocus regularly to make sure I’m not slipping back into the zone of doing what I think I should be doing next to earn money rather than sticking with the stuff that keeps me in the flow.
Ciara recently posted..Get Set for Success – New 7 Week eCourse
Hi Ani, its true blogging requires so many different skills which is what makes it interesting and great variety for the extroverts but we all need to be careful we don’t spend too much time away from creating quality content.
Ciara recently posted..Get Set for Success – New 7 Week eCourse
All these tips are necessary for starting a business in a proper and smooth way. Many people don’t take Outsourcing as important step but believe me it is.
I am so allergic to paper. And there is no need to work harder to get things accomplished; just do it. Great advice. Clutter is both a time-suck and energy suck. Love your website and you have an additional subscriber!!!!
Lee J Tyler recently posted..Wordcount, Hemingway, and M̶e̶ YOU
Great Lee delighted you’ll be sticking around.
Ciara recently posted..Need a Mental Boost? Try Classical Music
Well, guilty as charged on #5 No distractions – time wasters, I’m working on this one. I’m going to try creating alliances — thant one is a good idea. Thanks for the tips!
Jessica Johnson recently posted..How to Increase Your FICO Score 50 Points in 30 Days
Hi Jessica, alliances have definitely worked for me, when you work alone it is one powerful way to step up your business to the next level. Good Luck
Ciara recently posted..Need a Mental Boost? Try Classical Music
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment
didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again.
Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!
Nellie recently posted..Nellie