SS18 – Set up Good Systems with Marina Darlow

Welcome to the Create & Thrive Podcast Summer Series, where I replay the highlights from the show in 2018. If you’re a long-term listener, and you’re looking for fresh content – why not check out my NEW show – The Business of Making? Also! In this ep I announce the return of my free mini-couse – Look Back Move Forward – which will be kicking off on January 1st! Click here to find out more and sign up for this FREE mini-course!     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.   Love the show? You can show your support by: * Leaving a review on the C&T FB page. * Leaving a review on iTunes. * Donating a few dollars towards the costs of producing the pod. * Joining the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible     Quotes & highlights 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