Skip to main content
Category

Business Organizing

Apr 22
Love0

7 Ways Digital Minimalism Will Improve Your Life

By Blog, Business Organizing, Digital Minimalism No Comments

Here are 7 ways digital minimalism will improve your life if you’re striving for greater efficiency in your business operations this year!

 

As an entrepreneur, business owner, or freelancer, you likely rely on many apps and tools to run your business efficiently. However, we also know that navigating through digital clutter and distractions severely impacts productivity and time freedom.

 

Enter digital minimalism – a philosophy focused on eliminating distractions.

 

With less abundant clutter and system inefficiencies, this opens space to create more time freedom, and mental clarity.

 

In this blog post, I’ll share why I’ve been embracing digital minimalism as a business owner with 7 ways digital minimalism will improve your life. I’m also going to share my own frameworks to help you declutter your digital life and streamline your business!

Why Digital Minimalism Matters

 

As someone juggling multiple businesses and responsibilities, I’ve experienced firsthand the overwhelm and burnout that comes with constant digital distractions.

 

Since embracing digital minimalism, I’ve transformed my business and life in ways I never thought possible.

 

When I first began dabbling in research about digital minimalism, I thought I might be able to clear out my camera roll photos, streamline my calendar, and enjoy less time on technology…

 

Now I’ve come to discover that practicing digital minimalism brings many more benefits than these initial few!

Here are the top four benefits I’ve experienced:

 

 

4 Benefits of Digital Minimalism

  1. Peace of Mind

No constant notifications or distractions pull me away from the present moment. I now have the mental clarity to focus on important tasks without worrying about the balance of enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Less really is more!

 

  1. Increased Productivity

With streamlined digital systems, I can start tasks efficiently and finish them even quicker. I’m not wasting time searching for files or getting lost in tabs when everything I need is at my fingertips.

 

  1. Structured Business Operations

Developing streamlined workflows and processes has allowed my team and I to work much smoother. Introducing automation has eliminated most of our daily, lower-level administrative tasks.

 

  1. Intentional Presence

Instead of being tethered to my devices, practicing digital minimalism means I’m now more present in day-to-day life. Whether spending time with loved ones or engaging in leisure activities, I’m diligent and intentional about my device usage.

How was I able to accomplish all of this?

 

One of the key factors that enabled me was a shift in mindset. Rather than viewing digital decluttering as a tedious chore, I began to see it as a pathway to liberation. Seeing time spent organizing my digital tools as a means of reclaiming my time freedom and mental space.

 

With these newfound perspectives, I began a process of elimination. This not only simplified my digital life but also instilled a newfound sense of focus.

 

Here’s exactly how I did it:

7 Ways Digital Minimalism Will Improve Your Life

 

Audit and Declutter: Start by auditing your digital devices and online accounts. Delete or archive unnecessary files, tools, photos, emails, etc.

 

Set Boundaries: Designate specific times for checking emails, social media, and other time-sucking online activities. Practice self-discipline to build resistance to the coercing of these platforms.

 

Simplify and Leverage Your Tools: Identify essential apps and tools for your business. Cut the rest that either complicate your processes or aren’t essential. Streamline your workflows accordingly. Remember – optimize, streamline, and automate wherever possible.

 

Practice Mindful Consumption: Limit exposure to negative content and declutter your follow list. Surround yourself only with content that inspires you and aligns with your goals.

 

Disconnect Regularly: Take breaks from digital devices and engage in screen-free activities. Start by leaving your phone at home when going for walks, short errand trips, and the like. Work your way up to full days off of tech to see a significant boost in creativity and focus.

 

Focus on the How: Minimize the number of platforms and tools you use. Centralize your projects in one system to simplify your workflow. In digital minimalism, if a tool is not simplifying your life, remove it and commit to finding a better way.

 

Creative Thinking Time: Allow yourself space for creative thinking and problem-solving. Boredom is never a bad thing! Practice proactive problem-solving to enhance your business flow with digital minimalism.

 

 

By implementing these frameworks of mine, you’ll streamline your business operations, boost productivity, and reclaim your valuable time freedom! Now that you are equipped with the knowledge of 7 ways digital minimalism will improve your life, don’t forget to start implementing them today.

 

Share Your Tips!

 

Do you already practice digital minimalism in your business? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences. Share them in the comments below – let’s learn from each other!

 

 

 

Taking the First Step

 

If you’re ready to simplify your business and embrace digital minimalism, I encourage you to join our course
Organize Your Business.

 

With our support and help with the application process, this is your valuable opportunity to declutter and get organized in the digital world. Reclaim your time freedom and enjoy working in your business again. You can start the course today and experience the transformative power of digital minimalism by next week!

 

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one 👇🏻
7 Important Questions to Ask When Decluttering Your Digital Photos

 

Want more support with digital organization?

 

Sign up for my free newsletter so I can send you the best organizing tips and strategies each week.

(and some freebies, too!)

Sign up here →
Feb 02
Love0

How to Get Your Small Business Ready for Tax Season

By Blog, Business Organizing, Checklists No Comments

As a business owner, you may experience mixed feelings when it comes time to get your small business ready for tax season.

 

Tax season is a stressful time for many of us personally, but add business to the mix? It’s a whole other world!

 

With receipts scattered, documents misplaced, and procrastination looming, it’s no wonder we avoid all tax-related tasks until the last minute.

 

In this blog post, I’m sharing my simple organizing strategies honed over two decades. With these systems in place, you can keep your taxes organized for both personal and business use year after year.

 

 

Let’s dive into the five best tips to kickstart a stress-free tax season!

 

How to Get Your Small Business Ready for Tax Season

 

 

Centralized System for Receipts:

 

Organizing receipts is crucial for a smooth tax filing process. Designate a specific spot in your wallet, desk, or car for collecting receipts. Use durable zipper pouches labeled with categories like “Business Expenses” or “Medical Receipts” for easy sorting and retrieval. Regularly empty these pouches into your central tax folder to keep everything tidy and in one accessible place come tax season.

 

Digital Tax Folder:

Since we’re living in the digital age, it’s beneficial for you to digitize as many documents as you can to get your small business ready for tax season. Start by creating dedicated tax folders on your computer for both personal and business taxes. As you receive documents, scan or photograph them and file them directly into their respective folders. This ensures a well-organized digital archive for easy reference whenever you need something!

Personalized Tax Checklists:

 

Develop customized tax checklists for your specific needs. You can find free basic templates online to start with and just tweak them where needed. For business owners, maintain separate checklists for personal and business taxes. Customize these lists to streamline the gathering of required documents for tax season.

 

 

File Folders with Expanding Pockets:

If you haven’t already, choose a filing system that suits your needs. File folders work well for smaller amounts of documentation while folders with expanding pockets are ideal for larger volumes. To get your small business ready for tax season and beyond, prepare labels for upcoming years to save time in the future and recycle old folders as needed. This ensures a seamless transition from one tax year to the next!

 

Archive System:

 

Establish an archive system for past tax years. Keep only the current year and the two previous years in your immediate workspace for reference. Use labeled hanging files or expanding file pockets for each year to separate and store them in a designated area, such as a home office or storage space. Make sure these paper documents stay safe from damage by moisture or any other potential cause by using at least a banker’s box or even fire-proof storage.

 

 

Now you’re prepared to get your small business ready for tax season!

 

Implementing these organizing tips will transform your tax season experience from a last-minute scramble to a perfectly planned filing time!

 

From simply managing receipts to creating a digital archive, personalized checklists, and an efficient paper-to-digital filing system, you’ll be well-prepared for stress-free tax filing year after year.

 

Remember, the key is consistency. Find a system that works for you, customize it to your needs, and stick with it. The more you switch around your system the easier it is for pieces to fall through the cracks.

 

As tax season approaches, you’ll appreciate the ease and efficiency of having all your documents in order!

 

If you have secret tips of your own or more questions about how to get your small business ready for tax season, feel free to share them in the comments below!

 

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👇🏻
When to Hire a Productivity Coach or Professional Organizer

 

 

Not sure where to start with business organization?

 

Sign up for my free newsletter so I can send you the best organizing tips and strategies each week.

(and some freebies, too!)

Sign up here →
Jan 10
Love0

Simplify Your Business with Effective Systems

By Blog, Business Organizing, Digital Minimalism, Digital Organizing No Comments

Looking to simplify your business with effective systems but not sure where to start?

 

Picture a digital workspace where chaos and clutter are replaced with streamlined effective systems. You can finally close down the tabs in your brain and your day-to-day operations are easy. An efficient business workspace for you and/or your whole team to easily navigate!

 

Below, I’ll be guiding you through the art of creating effective systems to simplify your business. We’ll cover the three basic steps of setting up highly efficient systems in your business. This includes defining a pathway to save time and optimize your workflows.

 

To begin, it’s important to think carefully about how you’ll be setting up strategic storage of digital assets. The key word we’ll focus on here is retrieval; specifically HOW and WHERE you will find what you’re organizing.

 

Next, I will help you draw up a plan of action. Don’t worry, we won’t be going back to your dusty digital files from a decade ago. We’re going in with a bite-sized approach starting with TODAY and MOVING FORWARD!

 

Lastly, we’ll be crafting an efficiency plan to keep it all together for years to come. Say adios to chaos and embrace a workspace where sophistication meets simplicity!

Get started on organizing your folder structure with my FREE Digital File Cabinet PDF: Click here to download!

 

Keep reading to learn how to create effective systems that reduce clutter and simplify your business. You’ll soon enjoy saving time, closing the open tabs in your brain, and working with ease.

 

 

Simplify Your Business with Effective Systems

 

 

1. Determine the WHERE

Write a list of everything you use in your business (a starting point is listed for you below). Ask yourself the following question for each category:

 

Where will this be stored or filed so it can be easily found and shared?

 

Now brainstorm where will you store and organize your…

  • Notes and ideas (Google Drive, Asana, Evernote, OneNote, Reminders App, Google Keep, etc.)
  • Frequently visited links (Bookmark folders, spreadsheet, etc.)
  • Passwords (Lastpass, 1Password, spreadsheet, etc.)
  • Files, videos, course content (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud, etc.)
  • Digital assets (Canva, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, iCloud, etc.)
  • Tasks and projects (Asana, Monday, Notion, ClickUp, Trello, etc.)
  • Receipts (Evernote, Google Drive, etc.)
  • Apps (Folders, groups, pages, etc.)

 

 

2. Plan the HOW

At this stage, you will have drafted a simple outline for your categories and where you may store everything. Take a moment here to think about any frequent roadblocks you encounter in your workday:

  • What often causes you to lose momentum?
  • What distracts you?
  • What is your team constantly asking you to resolve?

 

With a defined list of frictions at hand, ask yourself the following question to come up with resolutions to simplify your business for each one:

 

What are the exact steps I will commit to taking in order to increase efficiency?

 

Where can I…

  • Make duplicates or clones
  • Create a template
  • Automate
  • Delegate
  • Downsize
  • Create an SOP

Benefits of Implementing a System

  • Easy to store
  • Easy to locate
  • Easy to grant access
  • Easy to share
  • Easy to edit
  • Easy to duplicate
  • Easy to delegate
  • Easy to automate

Important Reminders

  • Start your adjustments TODAY and moving forward
  • Your systems will be imperfect to start and improve over time
  • Document what you are doing as you go for recurring tasks so you can create SOPs later
  • Create effective systems to simplify your business that are duplicatable and scalable
  • When in doubt, write it out

 

 

3. Get it GOING

As Barbara Hemphill once said, “Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.” The best way to combat clutter is to take action against it. Motion leads to momentum, and once you get going, I know you will be inspired to continue to simplify your business!

 

First, you must accept that you’re going to go through a bit of a process to make it to the other side. Since clutter did not happen overnight, decluttering is not going to happen overnight either. Organization is a lifestyle not a one-off kind of thing.

 

Think about how your life will function once these effective systems are in place. As well as the little habits (see below) you will implement to keep it running smoothly and stay organized.

You have now brainstormed WHERE you’re going to organize your business’ digital assets and planned out HOW you’re going to simplify your business. Equipped with this blueprint of effective systems, you are more than ready to take the first steps today!

 

While sorting your files, if you encounter a roadblock with your new system, remember to refer back to the questions from step two. Use these to untangle your thoughts and don’t hesitate to write it out if you need to.

 

If you’d like some support along the way or are ready to streamline your business even further, join our community in Organize Your Business.

This is our community-focused course where you can meet other business owners like yourself with similar goals of:

 

✔️ A smoother, more productive workday where you have quick access to all of your frequently used bookmarks and web tools

✔️ Implementing a simple solution for storing passwords securely and accessing them seamlessly across all devices

✔️ Creating the systems your online business needs for effortless file retrieval and managing your team’s flow of content creation

✔️ Obtaining a personalized plan for scheduling important tasks throughout your week and then letting go of the rest, guilt-free

✔️ Setting up a structure for easy file, photo, and content retrieval, with confidence that your team can navigate it

ORGANIZE YOUR BUSINESS →

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👇🏻
Tips for Working From Home Effectively

 

 

Not sure where to start with digital organization?

 

Sign up for my free newsletter so I can send you the best organizing tips and strategies each week.

(and some freebies, too!)

Sign up here →