The Freelance Business Reset: Organize, Prioritize, and Thrive

Publication Date

August 2, 2024

Summary

my personal 5-step process to audit and refresh your freelance business, using tools like Notion templates and some tried-and-true brain hacks

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.