Create Processes that Protect Your Boundaries & Sanity

At a recent workshop I ran for small business owners, we were talking about techniques and tools to help manage the expectation we often put on ourselves to 'do it all'.

Yes - This is a trap that a lot of business owners fall into, particularly bookkeepers - taking on too much all at once, not knowing when or how to let things go, and not knowing how to introduce processes that protect our boundaries (and sanity).

One tool that I like to use is ESAD. For every process, person (clients, team, suppliers etc), or task that I'm experiencing an issue with, I consider if I can (in order)...

• Eliminate - can it/they be removed entirely? If so, how can I do this? If not, move on to the next step.
• Simplify - can it/they be made easier, or more efficient? If so, how can I do this? If not, move on to the next step.
• Automate- can it/they be automated or integrated? If so, how can I do this? If not, move on to the next step.
• Delegate- can it/they be delegated/outsourced to someone else (internal or external)? If so, how can I do this?

ESAD provides a really simply framework to work through barriers, challenges or every day processes to ensure that they are as effective and efficient as possible.

Once you become comfortable using this process, it almost becomes automatic and you can start applying it to all facets of your business (and life!).

What could you eliminate, simplify, automate or delegate to make your life a little easier at the moment (yes - house work counts!)?