Why I created Chic Systems Mastery
I created Chic Systems Mastery program because I was tired of seeing chic + savvy solopreneur women struggling in their business. The behind the scenes biz struggle is U-G-L-Y they ain’t got no alibi. The back-end business struggle is real.
I would hear and see these women complaining about working all the time and never having time for herself.
What little time she could find away from her computer was dedicated to her family so her husband wouldn’t start looking at the random women in gym or at work, and so her children wouldn’t think that the computer was all mommy cared about. She craved time with her girlfriends aside from the occasional “LOL” and “I miss you,” responses on Facebook and Instagram.
I knew it was possible to make more money, have clients that adore and rave about you, cultivate relationships and network online; nurture and love a family, while enjoying the luxuries of life with your favorite people.
I’m living proof, as well as my chic + savvy solopreneur superstar clients. We have mastered systems. The dreaded “S” word is what can transform working 7 days a week to having 3 day weekends every week. Systems are traditionally dry and masculine. Most entrepreneurs are either intimidated by systems as they are “one more thing to do,” or they simply have no clue what systems are, or they assume the overwhelm and chaos is just a part of business. In knowing this, I have added my feminine flair of fabulousness to Chic Systems. I would lie to you and tell you systems are sexy and you should get excited about Evernote, Trello, and Toggl. Simply put, systems aren’t sexy. Yet, the bottom line that systems produce are beautiful.
Think of going to the gym for 30 days straight and how amazing you feel and look afterwards. Eating clean and exercise does a body good. Chic systems and implementation does a business good. Your bottom line increases which means you are making more profits. You aren’t just breaking even. You are able to outsource work that you either don’t want to do or cannot do. You are staying in your zone of expertise and taking on more clients (only if you want to), while that extra 8 hours a week is spent living your passions.
Chic Systems Mastery was created with you in mind. You’re already busy running a business, and some days it seems like the business is running you. This program has done for you worksheets and templates where you just copy & paste the system into your business. Easy peasy, I’ve done all the hard work for you. There are video and audio trainings teaching you to navigate through the tools. A coaching call each week to customize systems for your business. Weekly email coaching in between the coaching calls for support and mentorship. So many goodies and benefits.
My mission is to help women live their dreams. It’s really hard to pursue your dream wholeheartedly when you’re broke, overwhelmed, and working all the time. And what's sexy about that?
Are you ready to BLAST overwhelm and organize the day to day chaos? Let's do this!
Working Full-Time, Starting a Business and Partying with friends? Here's the only way to make it work
You've been bit by the entrepreneur bug. There's only one thing that's in your way...that 9-5 that pays primarily all your bills right now.
Le'sigh.
You know your purpose and are ready to fully step out on faith. Those bills are still relying on that good ole corporate check. No worries. I know exactly what you need.
Systems.
What are systems? Systems are a sexy word to describe business structure and processes. See how systems sounds much sexier?
Most of your day and time is accounted for with your corporate gig. The night hours, lunch breaks, and the weekend are all you have to make this dream work. A scheduling system is what you need first.
So let's map out a realistic schedule:
Monday - Thursday
Dedicate 8 PM - 11 PM to your business.
That means 5 PM-7:59 PM is yours.
Network, enjoy your family, workout, eat clean or take a nap [although naps after 4 pm aren't good for productivity].
I highly recommend having working lunches. So instead of spilling the latest tea with your friends at work, do these instead: catch up on your business emails, find new connections on twitter, listen to podcasts, draft a blog post, or read a book that will push you ahead.
Friday's are a free card. Make the most of it however you choose. A few suggestions: go to networking happy hours [don't drink...sip on your dream and soda], hang out with your friends and family that adore you, go do things that make your scream with excitement or party like its 1999.
If nothing is happening on Friday switch the time with Saturday or Sunday.
Saturday & Sunday
Dedicate 8 hours to your business. It doesn't have to be 8 full hours. Chunk your time if you like. Chunking is far more effective for productivity and creativity.
Chunking is merely setting aside a small "chunk" of time and using ALL that time to one task.
You can use a pomodoro app like Marinara Timer to schedule the time you want to chunk. Sometimes I'll do 15 minutes on 5 minutes off or 30 minutes on 15 minutes off.
The standard Pomodoro method is a 25 minute period of time with a break afterwards. Each break is 5 minutes long, with a 15 minute break after the completion of the fourth Pomodoro.
I love that the Marinara Timer gives you the option on how you chunk your time. After all you are the boss!
Every week you will need to compare your social schedule and your business schedule. This way you are able to enjoy your friends and family like the social butterfly you are, and also create amazing offers, products, and services for the world to enjoy.
Google Calendar is perfect and syncs with event invites on Facebook. Sunrise is a great app that ties to Google calendar, your smart phone, Facebook, Eventbrite, and majority of the productivity apps. SCORE!
Creating a business, working full-time and enjoying your social life is possible. You don't have to choose.
your time is already limited, Speed up the process to working full-time for yourself...secure your spot in Chic Systems Mastery.
The Cat in the Hat can teach you a thing or two
Every night (okay let me be real only Sunday through Thursday) I read a story to my 3 years old. For the past two weeks he has only wanted to read The Cat in the Hat. So last night I ask him does he want to read another book. Of course he says no.
WHY?? I ask.
“Because I like the characters, they use funny timing [rhyming] words,” he replies.
Kids are simple.
He didn't care that he has an entire library of other books- to include many Dr. Seuss books. The Cat in the Hat makes him laugh and he appreciates that.
Simple.
It made me think how sometimes in business [& life] we complicate things.
Overthinking and just being the expert can definitely complicate things from time to time.
Creating systems from scratch can be beastly and overwhelming. They aren't sexy. You are, but your systems, not so much.
Keep it Simple.
When creating your systems keep them simple.
Systems are a bunch of moving parts. Systems aren't your business unless you're in the systems business.
You're in business to make money, systems simply support those efforts.
If you're a checklist person use checklists & asana or evernote.
If you're a visual person use post-it's, white boards and paper & pen. Check out Trello too.
We have a baby night time routine system based on my son's behaviors. (Refusal to go to bed because he's "hungry " aka he's learned that kids aren't sent to bed hungry or he hasn't finished a puzzle or he needs to call his mama or papa.)
Here's how it would look:
- Baby eats dinner
- Baby picks out book
- Baby gathers toys he wants in bath if different from the night before
- Baby says goodnight to everyone in house
- Ask baby does he want to call grandparents...
- If yes call grandparents
- Remind Baby that he is not allowed downstairs after he gets in bath.
- Baby has bath
- Baby gets in Pajamas
- Mommy reads to baby
- Mommy & Baby says prayers
- Mommy reminds baby that he is not allowed downstairs
- Mommy kisses baby & tells him God will protect him he's already said his prayers
- 15 minutes mommy or daddy checks to see if baby is sleep
3 Chic Tips to Mastery:
1. Vow to keep life & business simple.
2. Assess where you can add The Cat & The Hat tactics: simple, fun, & helpful.
3. Laugh more. Worry less. Laugh lines are acceptable, stress wrinkles aren't as cute.
Systems reduce the worry about money and day to day practices.
Systems vs. Tools
Every business needs systems and tools. With the new year, I see so many business owners throwing out the word systems but when I look closer they are only talking about tools.
Tools and systems are not synonymous.
Tools + productivity hack + strategy x repetition= system
Tools help to carry out systems and enhance a system in automating your business.
My favorite tools this week are asana and streak. The systems behind them are a bit strategic.
For example I use Asana to manage:
TDL
CRM
Podcast pitches
Project manager
So many things [working on a guide to share all the goodness]
In order to create a system look at what you do over and over. Make note of the steps that are needed and those that aren't. Assess where you can shave time, automate, and or outsource. Write it down and follow those steps from here on out. That is a system.
Here's an example of my Podcast system:
Research potential guest
Interact with potential guest casually and genuine
Send potential guest an email informing of the podcasts mission and invite them to be a guest.
Once the guest accepts the invitation, send guest an email explaining recording process and a link to podcast scheduler. [The scheduler is linked to my main calendars]
The scheduler sends the guest reminders before the interview date. If needed they are able to cancel and reschedule through the scheduler.
Edit the podcast
Record Intro
Upload Intro
Type up show notes [I use a template]
Create bit.ly links for the download url and show notes
Edit image [I use a template]
Create blog post for podcast show notes
The day before the podcast goes live I email the guest with the show notes, an image to share on their social media if they choose, pre written tweets about the show, and the download link.
This system is composed of a few moving parts and tools, but it's fool proof. There's a checklist to make sure everything gets done and in order.
The templates make it so I can easily pick up where I left off and not have to wonder if XYZ was completed. No time is wasted trying to figure out where to start, because I know it's done if the task below it is completed. The checklist also makes it possible to pass it off to my assistant if I don't have time to finish some tasks and the deadline is nearing. She knows exactly where to start and what to do.
Systems automate your business. Automation leads to more time which is freedom.
{Tele-seminar} Self-Care for Solopreneurs
Join me for Self-Care for chic + savvy solopreneur women tele -seminar.
December 11, 2014 @ 8PM EST
I’m going to show you the importance of self-care and how it impacts your business, the three pillars of self-care, and how to make time for self-care during stressful times.
What do you do every day? Assess your schedule
What do you do every day? From the moment you wake up *hums I woke up like this*
To the minute you fall graciously asleep. What are you doing?
About a year ago I became very intentional about my time. I was already intentional about my living but had just connected the dots that I wasted a lot of time doing NOTHING. I was busy being busy.
I did an assessment of my days and times. I've since helped hundreds of women to take the same assessments. On average my day starts at 6 am and ends at 11 pm.
Below is a sample of a typical week for me: I do an overview then enter it into google calendar. Click on the image to see it in action. Save yourself a copy.
Assessment of your time:
What time does your day start?
What is your morning routine? Does it include personal time aside from hygiene and getting ready for the day? Do you eat breakfast? Do you cook it? Is it ready made? Are you drinking water? Tea? Coffee? Juice? Do you have babes you need to get ready? Do you drive them to school? Sitter? Daycare? Do you wait for them to get on bus? Etc.
When do you work best? Don't work 9-whatever end time just because you think everyone else is.
what time do you eat lunch? [SN: you need to eat at least 6 times a day]
On what days do you work in your business and what days do you work on your business?
What are your office hours?
Client hours? Content creation hours? Biz development hours? Networking hours?
Do you cook dinner each night?
Do you go grocery shopping?
Of course you have to block off time for Scandal.
Which days are reserved for dates (kiddie dates, lunch dates, and romantic dates with your honey)?
When do you workout?
- When do you shop offline?
3 Chic tips to system mastery
1. Assess your current schedule. Use this PDF to help you.
2. Create a schedule template here. [save a copy to your google drive]
Transfer to google calendar once completed.
3. Honor & respect your time to ensure that others respect your time also.
via
Are you a planner or a planner decorator?
In the past few weeks I see EVERYONE on Facebook proclaiming they are planning for 2015. Oh I know you've seen the image:
Just wait until December, we will really start seeing 2015 will be my year images and memes. JUST WAIT!
The calendars are cute and planners are nice, but let's be real if you aren't doing anything but writing and decorating that pretty little planner, you will be in the same exact place that you are in right now.
3 Chic Tips to Systems Mastery
1. Get an accountability partner or have your business bestie review your first 90 days of 2015 with you.
2. Break those plans down. All the way down, so there's no confusion on how you're going to accomplish them. Paper and pen haven't failed me yet for mind mapping.
3. Take action!
System's aren't sexy
Systems aren't sexy.
Most people believe it or not, don't wake up and say "I really need to get my systems together."
They may say “WTF/WTH...why isn't this working for me? I'm doing everything right. I'm doing EVERYTHING my XYZ coach says do. I'm doing EVERYTHING from that course and academy I took.”
Oh it happens.
No one thinks to look at their systems or processes, because systems just aren’t sexy.
Wanna know what is sexy?
Butts! The BOTTOM line! The bigger the better depending on who you ask.
I like butts. Big butts.
I'm a little obsessed with my booty. I worked hard for it. I sacrifice cupcakes and I love cupcakes. I do squats and weighted 180 pounds squats at that. Squats aren't sexy, burpee’s aren’t sexy. and cardio just plain sucks!
Yet the bottom line makes me happy!
Same thing with systems. Systems show you where there's holes in your business and life and help you to patch them up.
A big bottom line for your business equates to more time and more money. Now that’s sexy!
You aren't wasting time on unnecessary tasks if you have proper systems in place. That is sexy!
And you my friend, are a sexy beast! Don’t let the lack of systems or improper systems decrease your sex appeal.
Here are 4 systems that every business needs to have:
Daily System
Content Creation System
Money Generation System
Marketing System
These 4 systems can be broken down into itsy bitsy processes to make sure you don’t leave room for error. As sexy as we are, we’re prone to an error here or there.
If you don’t have any system in place today...I want you to pull your left hand out and put it in front of you then pop it with your right hand! Now that we got that minor portion of corporal punishment underway.
The first system that you should implement is a Daily System, which is a group of systems that is pertinent to everyone who has goals to be accomplished. Daily Systems include daily schedules to include personal [yours + your babes if that applies + your huni if that applies] and business; self care routine, time management processes and organization.
Soon, I’ll share a process with you that I use with my clients to help them to maximize on their day and add to their daily system. However, for now here’s a downloadble PDF that I use daily in mapping out my day.
Live. Love. Action.
Watch Ellen’s Anaconda vide for a good laugh
- Call a friend and ask them what was the funniest thing that happened to them last week.
Download the PDF and get your day(s) rocking!
What are systems?
Systems are the rules you create for your business. You're the boss, you're the mama, your rules!
You just have to make sure your rules are for the greater good of your business.
Systems are documented practices that you do in your business over and over and over.
However many solopreneurs don't have systems or they don't follow the rules. Things get done here and there. Solopreneur success does not come with here and there shooting from the hip.
Systems have checks and balances.
Systems ensure that things get done.
Systems allow for you to get sick and your business' immune system goes untouched.
Systems automate your business.
Systems eliminate overwhelm because you already have plans in place for this or that.
They allow for you to hire and outsource tasks.
Systems allow for you to have more free time to do whatever makes your heart smile.
So many people talk about the hustle and bustle in business. Rest and FUN are just as important.
Systems allow for you to make more money.
So that's more time, more money, more fun.
What systems do you have in place?
Action Jackson
Evaluate your daily systems.
What do you do over and over in your business?
Write out one system in your business structure.