If you are like many of the small business owners I have known over the years, your workplace often feels chaotic. Chaos takes many forms – some offices are literally loud, messy, and disorganized, while others may appear at first glance to be neat and well-maintained, but hide disorganization and confusion just beneath the surface.
Whatever way the chaos manifests itself in your business, I’m willing to bet that you would like to be rid of it this year. In this article, I’m going to share a “road map” that will get you started with this process:
1) Organize your files and information. The first step to eliminating chaos is to get organized. If the paperwork in your office is a mess, or if it’s impossible to find anything on your computer server, it’s very hard to keep your systems operating smoothly. Take the time to organize your files and your key information in a way that allows you to quickly find what you need during the workday. If you need help with this process, let me know!
2) Prioritize. Once you’ve organized your information, the next step is to organize your priorities. Too many business owners “wing it” each day and spend their time however the day dictates. But the key to productivity is to identify your key priorities and ensure that they receive the attention they demand. I recommend making a prioritized “to-do” list at the days end – it is amazing how much this single step can help to reduce chaos and improve efficiency in a business!
3) Stop confusing “urgent” with “important.” Many business owners run around with their hair on fire because they’ve confused urgent and important. There are a wide variety of “urgent” matters that crop up each day – from technology malfunctions to unhappy customers to sick employees. But some of these issues frankly aren’t important in the scheme of things, and the business owner is better off delegating them to team members so he or she can focus on the priorities of the day.
4) Communicate clearly, and teach your employees to do the same. Unclear communication is a major source of chaos in the workplace. This often happens when you’re in a rush – so train yourself to slow down and ensure that your message is clearly communicated, and teach your employees to do the same. It’s better to take a few extra minutes going over instructions than to spend hours correcting a mistake!
5) Take the time to relax and clear your head when necessary. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you’ll find your head swimming. When you’re overwhelmed, take the time you need to step back and clear your mind. A confused and disoriented leader results in a chaotic work environment, so don’t let this happen.
Running a business is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. If you’d like to learn more, or if you’d like help eliminating the chaos from your business, please contact me today!