my personal 5-step process to audit and refresh your freelance business, using tools like Notion templates and some tried-and-true brain hacks
The MeltzerSeltzer Team
Feeling like your freelance business is drifting off course? You're not alone. Whether it's a cluttered schedule, unclear priorities, or just that nagging sense of disorganization, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But here's the good news: with a structured reset, you can regain control and clarity. In this guide, I'll walk you through my personal 5-step process to audit and refresh your freelance business, using tools like Notion templates and some tried-and-true brain hacks. Let's dive in and get your business back on track.
Need more in-depth support? I offer a comprehensive workshop inside the Pop Club membership that delves deeper into auditing your business. Check it out if you're seeking additional guidance!
1️⃣ Talk It Out
I'm a verbal processor, so my first step is to get my thoughts flowing.
- I start by talking to myself and recording voice memos, which I then transcribe with TurboScribe (or you can just talk to ChatGPT if that’s more your style).
- I also chat with my freelance friends in Pop Club and Old Girls Club when I need a sounding board.
⚡️ Understanding your processing style is crucial here – this step might be different if you’re not a verbal processor like me. Here are the 7 types of processing and how to identify yours.
2️⃣ Organize It (But Messily)
Once my thoughts are out, I need to organize them. I use my favorite Notion Brain Dump template to gather everything in one place.
3️⃣ Audit
Next, I conduct a simple business audit to identify areas needing change. I utilize another Notion page for this—the Business Audit Template.
4️⃣ Prioritize
After identifying necessary changes, I prioritize tasks:
- 🔴 High: Tasks that generate income or are time-sensitive.
- 🟡 Medium: Tasks that cause stress or are somewhat time-sensitive.
- 🟢 Low: Tasks that would be nice to complete but aren't urgent.
5️⃣ Wrap It Up
Finally, I consolidate everything into my main dashboard. For tasks I'm uncertain about, I add them to a “wish list” and seek input from my coach, community, or take time to reflect. I might add them to my calendar later.
⭐️ Bonus Pro Tip
Struggling with prioritization and scheduling? Try using Claude to automate your schedule. Here's a prompt you can use:
"If I provide you with the month, business hours, a list of tasks with estimated completion times and deadlines, can you create a schedule for me? High Priority tasks must be completed. Please keep tasks that take 2 hours or less in one time block to minimize context switching. Once the schedule is created, can you format it as a CSV file for upload into Google Calendar?"
This approach can help streamline your workflow and ensure you're focusing on what matters most.
Freelance Business Audit FAQs
Q: What if I'm not a verbal processor?
A: That's perfectly fine! The key is to find a method that helps you process your thoughts effectively. Whether it's writing, mind mapping, or discussing with peers, choose what works best for you.
Q: How often should I perform a business reset?
A: It's beneficial to conduct a business audit quarterly or whenever you feel misaligned with your goals. Regular check-ins help maintain clarity and direction.
Q: Can I access the Notion templates mentioned?
A: Absolutely! Most of my Notion templates are free and you can sign up using the form below to grab them:
Looking for something else?
© 2024 MeltzerSeltzer. All rights reserved.