sys·tem

  1. complex whole formed from related parts: a combination of related parts organized into a complex whole
  2. set of principles: a scheme of ideas or principles by which something is organized
  3. way of proceeding: a method or set of procedures for achieving something

One of the most common things I hear from Superstars is…“If I only had a system” and they say it with a far-away dreamy sentiment like they we’re wishing Ryan Gosling would bring them some chocolate.  

Yes, there is a very romantic notion surrounding having systems, that super efficient, organized feeling like when all your plastic food storage containers are neatly organized with all their lids, or when you have an entire year of greeting cards bought and organized for every birthday, anniversary and holiday.

It’s a good thing to want to have systems in place, it means you take your business seriously.   It makes you feel in control and powerful knowing that “you got this covered”.  So how do we get a system in place so that you can feel good about the steps involved in growing your business?  Well, let’s start at the end….

First Step:  What do you want to create a system around?  Common areas are Host Coaching, New Team Member Training, Follow-Up, Newsletters, and the list goes on…basically, anything you want to start at point A and with an organized series of steps end up at point B.

Step 2: What is the end result, now you need to get more specific.  For example, if you want to send a monthly team newsletter, you may determine you want that to go out on the first of each month after you get the month-end sales report.  Now you can work backwards from there to figure out the steps needed to make that happen.

Step 3: What are the steps involved, even if you don’t yet know the exact order, write down all the steps involved in creating that system; using our newsletter example your list might look like this:

  • run month-end report for team recognition
  • check company for upcoming events/specials/contests, etc…
  • get list of all new team members for the month
  • find an article about “hot topic” for the month
  • create a list of current bookings/events you’ll be at the next month
  • find an inspirational quote

You may have more or less steps, its ok, but write down all the steps you need to get a newsletter organized.

Step 4:  Start to put the steps in order, and figure out when each step should happen.  Some will be obvious, like you can only run the team recognition report on the last day of the month, however earlier in the process you can find your article and quote.  You’ll start to see how you can  plan to complete your steps each week until the end-result is achieved.

Step 5:  Try it!  No system is perfect the very first time you run it, you many need to adjust steps, add and remove steps, but by working through the process, trying it out, you’ll start to see a pattern emerge and in no time you’ll have your very own system that works for you!

Developing a system, like creating a habit, takes time but once you get the process and steps organized you’ll be much more efficient.

If want to create systems in your business, but feel unsure or overwhelmed about where or how to begin contact me for a Strategy Session and together we will work through the process and create systems that will make you feel like the Superstar that you are!  And who knows…you might be inspired to organized your plastic food containers too!