It’s that time of year and all, so take a look back at the last 12 months. And be really, brutally honest with yourself.
How organised were you?
No, really.
How many things did you mean to get done, but end up throwing by the wayside? How many tasks ended up late, or projects overrun because you didn’t manage to find enough time in the day? How many emails did you miss, invoices did you forget to pay, and meetings did you arrive late to?
Don’t worry, we’re not here to shame you. But we are here to tell you that most people aren’t nearly as organised as they think they are, and this can lead to all sorts of problems in business. And even though some of those problems may be small, you will find that they can snowball very quickly and lead to big problems that didn’t really need to happen.
If that all sounds familiar, then you need to get your ass in gear and get organised this year. And we have a few hints to help.
Create a Tracking System
Tracking your tasks, you customers, your contracts and your work is pretty important, but the busier you get the harder that becomes. This is where a good CRM system comes in – as it lets you track it all at once. If you’re not using one already, then it’s time you did. CRM systems allow you to track everything in your business, setting yourself tasks and reminders, taking notes and putting automated systems in place. So you don’t have to rely on scribbled post-it notes, and instead you have a system that can be organised for you, without you having to think about it.
Streamline Your Admin
All businesses come with admin, and in its raw form it can be a handful to cope with. But if you spend some time putting systems in place, it can do a lot smoother. For example, having a master file of templates and useful documents (like branded templates for proposals, quotes, involves and timesheets), you can save a lot of time in redoing things. Finding software and other solutions to streamline your admin tasks can make you feel more organised, and make sure things get done in a timely manner.
Make Lists
At Your Admin Hub we love a good list. List-making is a really useful organisational skill for any business owner, and can be a lifesaver when it comes to organisation. One the 1st of the month, try creating a list of everything you need to do in that month – every little thing. Then you can break it down into weekly and daily to-do lists, and make sure everything is covered off. You can adjust these as needed, but it keeps you accountable and allows you to see everything that still needs to be done in one place. There are several different list-making methods and programs you can use, so have a play with a few and see what works for you. But whatever you do, make sure you keep all of your lists in one place!
Hire A VA
Of course, you could just get someone else to do it. A lot of the little tasks that get left behind when you’re bust are admin-based, and while they are small, they’re often the ones with the biggest impact. You know, the ones you really REALLY don’t want to miss? So if you know you’re prone to a bit of disorganisation, it might be time to get some help. A VA can support you by taking on all of those niggly jobs you just don’t want to do, or don’t have time for, and making sure they are done. From big to small, a VA can do it all – leaving you to get on with the bits you actually want to do, without worrying about forgetting anything.
At Your Admin Hub, we love organisation, or anything admin really. Those tasks you don’t enjoy doing, or that take up a lot of time without giving you any real reward? That’s our bag. So if you want some help getting organised this year, we’re here to help. All you’ve got to do is get in touch with us using this little button here.