With so much travelling lately I've finally had a chance to catch up on some reading that I've been wanting to do.  A couple of weeks ago, sitting in the Chicago airport,  I went on Amazon and ordered a few books which had been recommended to me.  I wanted reading materials for my next trip - to the Indianapolis Stagers List Expo.  Thinking on suggestions that I've gotten lately I ordered Who Moved My Cheese, Shift & Real Estate Rainmaker, Guide to Online Marketing.  Working non-stop and getting completely worn out trying to keep up with the travel, moving, renovating a new home, selling our current home, staging, paperwork, marketing, and being a mom (with 2 kids in college, 1 in middle school - my middle child just having gotten engaged last week) I was actually looking forward to the time away, socializing with my good friends and having some time to myself to just kick back and read. 

Unfortunately things don't always go as planned and leaving on Monday afternoon found that none of my books had arrived for my flight.  I decided that I wasn't up to writing press releases on this set of flights and had really been looking forward to time to read and learn something new.  I decided to pick up a book at the airport.  Walking into the airport bookstore it is clear that there are few choices, so I might have to be less picky than usual.  Then I saw it... E-Myth Revisited.  I had no idea what the book was about but I recalled that 6 months or so ago 4 different collegues told me I should pick it up.  I asked my husband to get it from the library for me several times, but apparently our local library has a limited selection in the business section.  Hmmm... trying to listen to the call of the universe, I picked it up (though honestly some of the other titles had me second guessing this decision). 

Sitting at the gate I began to read and within moments knew why I was called to read this book today.  By the time I landed in Indianapolis I knew that this had been the right book at the right time and I was inspired and full of thoughts which came flowing through my computer the first moments I could get to a work and powerpoint document.  For anyone reading this blog that owns their own business who hasn't read the book - stop reading and go to Amazon to order this book now!  I can honestly say that much of Sarah's story (you'll understand if you've read the book, if you haven't then do so now!) was mine.  I understand her situation all too well & have been feeling the way she felt, except that I'm not really the technician type, more the entrepreneur.  Either way, I've been finding myself in the wrong porportions of Technician, Entrepreneur and Manager.  Something has been needing to change for some time now..  I suppose I've always been the 'straw that breaks the camel's back' kind of girl and we've been piling up straws at a rapid rate. 

The overall gist of the book seemed to be that most individuals who go into business are technicians who want to control their paychecks, destinys and be their own bosses.  Unfortunately what happens is that they either lack other skills or find they burn out trying to do it all.  Eventually things begin to slip through the cracks and frustration mounts until the business fails or the owner quits.  Feeling overwhelmed myself I continued to read to find the answers....

Perhaps the first and most striking thing I found was that despite my best plans and paperwork (I tend to update my business plan twice a year) I had yet to formally discuss and outline the duties and responsibiities of the members of my company.  What this tends to lead to is exactly what is going on in my business at the moment - an ebb and flow of productivity with no one taking full responsibility of the sitation at hand.  Now, this certainly doesn't mean that we aren't successful, clearly we are when you look at where we've been, where we are and where we are going but what happens as we continue to grow?  It became clear that if we didn't do something soon we would be out of control and chaos would ensue... we are already on that path.  Having recently seen this in another successful business and understanding the long path to efficiency recovery I decided that a flow chart was now in order.... outlining exactly what everyone's responsibilities are, the order of business and processes. 

I also learned that I need to dumb down my processes... the advice in E-Myth was that the processes should be so simple any high schooler can do it with little assistance or guidance.  Not being much of a 'manager' this was last on my list of priorities.  I've learned that sometimes what ends up last on my list really should be first, however.  Now I'm in the process of identifying how I do every part of my job and how I can convey it to the next person who comes along.  This will allow me to do my favorite part of the business - be creative - be the entrepreneur....

Because I have so much to say and this blog is already much longer than I had planned I'll end this one by saying that if you haven't already read the book and you are feeling overwhelmed, overworked and frustrated.... you might just find the solution in black and white! 

Of course... when you finish, you'll also want to pick up E-Myth Mastery, which is what I read on the flight home from Indianapolis.  Amazingly enough, Gary & Linda Barnett happened to have a copy sitting right there for me to borrow..... isn't the universe a funny thing?