I’ve got an epic interview for you this week!
My guest – Marina Darlow – is a systems expert & productivity geek.
An engineer by training, she helps impact-driven entrepreneurs to get 10-20 more productive hours a week, stop leaking money, and prevent stress-fuel breakdowns.
In this episode we discuss why systems matter, how they can help you become more creative, and outline a number of examples specific to makers.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Highlights and quotes from this episode:
- Business systems are there to support you so when unexpected things happen your business does not fall apart.
- “Good systems are what allows most people the space to create without other things infringing on it” {Marina}
- Systems create clear boundaries in your work processes and allow you to divert your energy to important tasks with a greater focus.
- Jess recommends the book Getting Things Done by David Allen.
- Establish how you work best and build systems to protect and support this creative time.
- Schedule your creative blocks for when you are most productive and have the most energy and consider this on a daily, weekly and monthly scale.
- Marina recommends the book Deep Work by Cal Newport.
- The energy required to switch between tasks can be significant. Schedule the time for this transition into your systems.
- Utilise the power of ritual to start and finish work and manage transitions. This can be something very small such as packing your tools away or getting a cup of tea.
- “Systems make you more resilient” {Marina}
- Utilise systems to manage your time through calendars and reminders.
- Establish systems around money to remove anxiety. Establish systems for payments, custom orders, invoicing and budgets. And make sure you check in on these regularly!
- “You can actually find joy, excitement and motivation in tracking your money” {Jess}
- Streamline your communications with systems to manage your materials, suppliers, marketing and team.
- Communication templates are an invaluable system that saves time, energy and money.
- “Have meetings with yourself and assess the elements of your business – if you never stop and do that you can never make progress on improving your systems and processes of business” {Jess}
- Jess recommends the book The Story of Telling by Bernadette Jiwa.
- Start setting up your systems with one small step. Avoid getting overwhelmed by focusing on the next small task, complete it, celebrate, and repeat the process.
- If you are stuck on which system to start first, visit Marina’s website for her tips and take her free mini-course.
- Loved this episode? Keep an ear out for Marina’s upcoming podcast Systems Meet Humanity which features me as a guest.
