Systems and Processes 101 

Discover the surprising similarities between building good habits and building effective systems and processes 101.

The major part of business, is systems and process 101, and in truth, life.

If you hate your job and are unhappy with your lot them evaluate your systems and processes. I know it doesn't sound like it relates. Trust me this is gold.

It is a primary factor to building a successful business and life.

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 "Systems and Processes 101"

How to unlock your personal and professional potential with  key habits.

The Sum of Your habits

Your current life today is essentially the sum of your habits. Your habits are the systems and processes to function in your life. How to create systems and processes 101 is the beginning.

man with bad habitsBad habits can cause debilitating depression.

It’s the habits that you’ve been following for say, the last six months, the last year, or the last ten years that have carried you to whatever results you have right now.

Remember the phrase: 

“You are where you are and what you are by the dominating thought that occupies your mind”.

If you’re enjoying excellent results now, you were killing it six months ago. The quality of habits and how they build up and compound is really the process you’ve been running for the last while.

Laughing happy womanSpot the difference.

If I dumb this down and simplify it and use the phrase system versus the goals process, then what I am saying, is if you do not rise to the level of your goals you fall to the level of your systems.

Don’t worry if you’re not getting it yet, you will. Keep reading systems and processes 101.

What is Your System

To be more precise, your goal is like your desired outcome. Your target is the thing that you want to achieve. Then what is your system? 

gearsEach little habit is like a gear in the overall machine.

Your system is the collection of daily habits that you follow, so each little habit is like a gear in the overall machine.

If you optimize your habits, you are optimizing your systems and you naturally rise or fall to whatever level the result is - to whatever the system is running toward.

Stay with me!

The Gap Between Your Goal and Your System

So, if there is a gap between your goal and your system, if there’s a gap between your desired outcome and your daily habits, your daily habits will always win.

It doesn’t matter how good your intentions are. It doesn’t matter what you hope to achieve, it’s what your habits are carrying you toward that counts.

The great irony of all of this is, we badly want better results in life, we badly want to make more money, reduce stress, find love, change jobs, start a business or be more productive.

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The GIGO Formula

GIGOGarbage in - Garbage out

The results are actually not what needs to change. It’s the system and processes that precede the results, it’s the habits that precede the outcome.

It’s like the GIGO formula (garbage in, garbage out). Fix the input and the outputs will fix themselves. 

Why is it we do not intuitively get this?

Why is it?

Think about it, how you are now is what you were doing six months ago, a year ago.

Results of Success are Aways Visible

Championship cup teamWe only hear about the winning team after they’ve won the championship cup.

We only hear about the smash hit musical once it’s a hit not when it’s being written. We only hear about the winning team after they’ve won the championship cup, not while they’re training in the off-season.

The results of success are highly visible and they hide the systems, strategies and processes of success from view. It’s, for this reason, we overvalue results and undervalue the systems and processes. We have really got it arse about.

We become outcome-oriented we become results-oriented. Yes, of course, results matter. You can have the best systems and process 101 in the world, but if you have no reason to test and present against a desired outcome, what’s the point?

The place that you want to focus on is building better habits and developing better systems in view of achieving your desired outcome.

The same goes for your business. An experienced mentor or coach can draw upon all this to achieve your business outcomes and your business goals under the business plan and blueprint.

To Solve an Issue, Look Upstream

Dead fishThe fish are dying, the water is cloudy, and algae is growing, then the resolution is guaranteed to be upstream.

Here’s the thing. If you have an issue with the pond at the bottom of the stream. Like the fish are dying, the water is cloudy, or algae is growing, then the resolution is guaranteed to be upstream.

Did you get that? Guaranteed.

Real examples:

Issue - Health is deteriorating from obesity. (downstream)

Solution - Evaluate your past 1,2, and 3-year eating habits. Change the system and processes.(upstream)

Issue - You are tired, listless, grumpy, and irritable.(downstream)

Solution - Look at your sleep cycle, your exercise regime, your binge snacking, and your alcohol intake over the last 6 months. Work stress levels, deadlines, etc. Stop and smell the roses. Change the system and processes. (upstream)

Do I need to go on? I think not. You get the picture.

Keep Records

recorded-keepingYou need to keep records. I know I bang on about this simple method constantly, but it is such a dynamic part of your personal and business success.

It all starts with the systems and processes 101 the good habits. The outcome will take care of itself.

Do not settle for being a victim of your habits. Become the architect of them.

You need to have some sort of self-awareness. You need to identify what you are actually doing. You need to keep records.

I know I bang on about this simple method constantly, but it is such a dynamic part of your personal and business success.

If you never know where you have been you will never know where you are.

A clearer understanding of where you currently stand and where you want to go is the key. Keep records.

recording recordsRecord keeping is vital for a successful business. If you don't know where you've been, you'll never know where you are going.

Your Upstream Today is Your Downstream Tomorrow

One of the most motivating and satisfying feelings for the human mind is the feeling of progress. If you are making progress, you have every reason in the world to continue. You are moving forward.

Start today. Change the narrative upstream. The upstream today is the downstream tomorrow.

Yes, it’s good to keep your goals and outcomes in the forefront of your mind, but it’s imperative to work on  systems and processes 101 and good habits every single moment.

Blake's Story

This is a story I am at liberty to tell. Blake was a client of mine and this is his story.

bakeryBlake was passionate about baking but lacked business smarts.

Blake had small business called "Baker's Bite,". When he was referred to me he was  struggling to make ends meet. Blake was passionate about baking but lacked business smarts.

This is a typical issue with people who start a business built upon their passion. Don’t get me wrong. Passion is the great driver of all great businesses. 

I could see after our first meeting Blake was barely able to keep the business afloat and pay the staff.

I realized he needed to make significant changes in his business if he wanted it to stay afloat and  succeed.

I advised and mentored him to create systems and processes to streamline operations.

At first, he was hesitant about implementing changes in his business. However, after explaining the advantages and disadvantages he began to see the benefits of getting the systems and processes in place.

I had him document all of his recipes, ingredient lists, and production methods. 

He then created a schedule that ensured his staff was working efficiently and products were delivered on time.

After just over 8 months with the new systems and processes in place, Blake started to notice a significant improvement in his business.

His staff became more productive, and the quality of his baked goods improved.

I also had him track his expenses and income. This assisted him in documenting and making decisions built on true value and inputs in real-time.

Baker's Bite started to turn around. I was so proud of what Blake had achieved in a short period of time. He took on the role of a businessman and not a baker.

He worked on his business and not in his business.

His business boomed attracting more customers, and experienced staff.

He created a night shift and employed a night manager.


Blake's revenue began to increase. He was able to pay off his debts and expanded his business by opening a new branch.

His reputation grew, and soon he was getting orders from local restaurants and cafes.

Thanks to the systems and process 101 he took onboard and implemented, Baker's Bite went from near bankruptcy to success in under a year. 

Blake learned, running a successful business required more than just passion and creativity.

It also required discipline and organization.

He was grateful for my mentoring and guidance.

Together, we had turned his struggling business into a thriving one.

One of my best efforts. 

PastriesNow you tell me. Can you resist this stuff? Honestly, I put on over 10 lbs.

I also got to eat too many pastries. I think during my time with Blake I added at least 10 lbs. Well, maybe a little more my wife informs me.

It was worth it to see what a turnaround Blake was able to achieve.

Summary

Creating good habits for personal development and creating systems and processes 101 for business development both involve intentional, consistent effort towards achieving a desired outcome.

In both personal development and business development, it’s important to have clear goals in mind.

Whether you’re trying to build a successful business or improve your personal well-being. Having a specific, measurable outcome in mind helps you stay motivated and on track.

Both personal development and business development benefit from an iterative approach.

In other words, it’s important to constantly evaluate and adjust your habits or systems based on what’s working and what’s not.

By keeping and reviewing records allows you to continuously improve and refine your approach.

Accountability is key to success in both personal development and business development.

Whether you’re relying on a mentor, a personal coach or a team of colleagues to hold you accountable, having someone else to answer to can help keep you on track and motivated.

Finally, both personal development and business development require flexibility.

You may need to adjust your habits or systems based on changing circumstances or new information.

Being adaptable and open to change is essential for long-term success in either realm.

Experience isn't the best teacher, experience is the only teacher.

cliff climber

Confidence comes from experience

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