When you’re in a helping profession you basically have two choices of business model: you can either niche down into one aspect, such as mindset coaching, financial counselling, remedial massage etc. Or, you can take a much broader, holistic approach. Either way, chances are you’re passionate about helping others achieve their goals and lead healthier lives. This passion can be exhausting though, right? The relentless demands of daily business can leave you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, making it sometimes feel impossible to focus on your long-term vision. 

I’m here today to give you the good news that all is not lost! Streamlining your processes is a core element of empowering yourself and your team to keep doing what you love most. This is all about sustaining business growth without the exhaustion.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott

Following the 5 D’s:

The essence of streamlining lies in identifying tasks that can be automated, delegated, or eliminated altogether. By focusing on the most essential aspects of your business, you can free up essential time and energy to invest in growth and development.

There are five simple methods we regularly help our clients implement to keep desks clear and workflows ploughing through to get tasks done.

Ditch it:

Does this job really need to be done, or are you and the team running on autopilot so much that you have stopped questioning what you’re doing and why you’re doing it? So much time and money are wasted in small businesses by doing work that makes little to no impact on business outcomes at all. Chances are, if you didn’t do some of the work currently on your desk at all, you and your business might just be better for it!

Defer it:

Ok, so you can see the benefit of doing the job … Next question to ask is “when does it need to be done?”The task might have value in your business overall, but ensure that the only work you and your team engage in is work that has the most value TODAY. Use tools like your calendar, project management software and to make sure you are always working on only the most high level work you could be doing at any given moment.

Delegate it:

If you step back for even ten minutes and look over your real To-Do list (filled with work that actually needs to be done), you are likely to see tasks that could be done by someone else. If it is repetitive or low level, it can likely be done by a team member or virtual assistant. If the task is technical but not in your zone of genius you would likely benefit from outsourcing the work to a third party supplier – think web or graphics design, copywriting, bookkeeping… even sales and business development.  

Dehumanise it:

In this day and age we have software, websites and technology at our disposal to make our work faster, easier, more effective, or disappear altogether. Take a smart look at what you and your team spend your time on and employ as much tech as you can understand and afford to reduce that work. Automations and AI can reduce or cut out the time you currently spend on content production, task management, communications, and even client delivery. You might even find entirely new business models you could create and make the most of.

Do it:

Of course, there is always work that needs to be done by you to keep your clients happy and your business growing. This is where the real return from your efforts comes from so it needs to be managed with precision. Again, your calendar, your To Do lists, and your project management software are your best friends here. Make the most of your time by setting up systems and processes to keep you productive and progressing towards your goals.

Work-Life Balance – (Get Back to You)

Clearly, getting off the tools is essential for helping you to do what you love inside your business, but it’s also vital to remember the importance of self care and developing a healthy work-life balance.

Did you know that in 2024, 87.7% of business owners surveyed by Founder Reports described themselves as suffering from at least one mental health concern? High stress and anxiety take the top spots and unsurprisingly, financial worries take third place.

Burnout has been described as the cumulative effect of concerns like stress and worry and according to Founder, it comes in as the fourth highest mental health problem faced by small business owners. Which means that they are on the very brink of giving up. When you’re burnt out, there’s nothing left

To maintain your passion and avoid burnout, it’s essential to set boundaries. Take regular breaks, and carve out time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. By nurturing your own well-being, you’ll be better equipped to serve your clients and grow your business sustainably.

To do that, you need to streamline your day to day business processes.

Give us a call if you need help.