[146] Set up Good Systems with Marina Darlow

  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.       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.