The main reason that business owners are so stressed as they attempt to manage all they have going on in their personal and business life, is because they’re not taking advantage of one important concept: a system.

My Apple Dictionary defines a system this way:

“A set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method”

Systems have two benefits:

1. They give you a structure around which to build your daily and weekly activities

2. They give you a place to unload your mind (assuming you’re using the right systems)

I don’t have to worry about having time to move my business forward on a daily basis, because I have multiple systems in place that encourage that movement.

I don’t have to worry about keeping up with the large number of tasks associated with running multiple businesses, because I have a system in place in which to unload all those tasks and projects (I realize that I’m using the word “system” in a broad sense).

I don’t have to worry about my clients being taken care of while I’m training for my triathlon races this year, because I have a system (and people) in place to take care of those clients.

I don’t have to worry about the cleanliness of my house being maintained amidst all I have going on, because there is a system in place that means the house is cleaned  throughout the week.

And the list could go on. 

Systems manifest themselves in so many ways, and we’ll talk about a variety of them on this site, but the key is to put them in place. Using terms from the Dictionary, create a list of simple, repeatable principles or procedures for every part of your life - personal and business - and you’ll be able to rest easier.