The journey toward time freedom often begins with a passionate solopreneur with a vision. If that was/is you, you’ll know that passion and vision go hand in hand with wearing multiple hats and juggling various roles. It can be exciting, but it can also be chaotic and scary! 

But if you’ve read Michael E. Gerber's The E-Myth Revisited, you’ll also know that transitioning from a one-person show to a thriving business involves a pivotal step … documenting procedures.  

This article explores the importance of writing procedures, particularly during the early days, and how this practice can lead to time freedom as your business grows into a team endeavour. 

Standardising Procedures 

The E-myth Revisited highlights some common pitfalls entrepreneurs face. One example is getting ‘trapped’ in a business rather than gaining the freedom they sought at the start of their entrepreneurial journey. One key solution he offers is the creation of standardised procedures, which transforms businesses from solely relying on the owner's efforts to a system-driven model that runs even when you’re not there. I know … it’s genius!  

It's easy to underestimate the importance of documenting procedures. I know I did for many years! In the early stages, you're the "doer" and the "manager”; writing down processes might feel unnecessary when you're in control of everything. But looking back, many successful entrepreneurs express a common sentiment: they wish they had started documenting procedures earlier. I did, so I speak from experience, and if you’ve read my book, One Two Free, you’ll know what steps I took to overcome this. If you haven’t, trust me; it's not until you're faced with growth and the need to delegate tasks that you realise the actual value of a standardised system. 

Invest In Your Time Freedom .. Help is Out There 

Today, online tools like Waybook offer streamlined ways to create, manage, and access procedures. They provide a central repository for all your business processes, making it easy for your team to access and follow standardised procedures. 

Documented procedures empower your team members to perform their roles effectively and consistently. It fosters a culture of clarity, accountability, and efficiency. But even when you're a team of one, documenting procedures is a strategic investment in your time freedom, paving the way for a scalable business model where you're not chained to daily operations but can focus on strategy and growth to propel your business toward success.  

If you haven’t yet embraced documenting procedures in your business, it’s not too late. Hindsight may reveal missed opportunities, but the key is to start now, regardless of your business's size. With the right tools and a commitment to process documentation, you will create a more efficient present and pave the way for a future where time freedom is a reality, not a distant dream! 

Are you ready to learn more about the importance of documenting procedures? 

Then connect to The Time Alchemist. 

Click here to get find out how to get access to over 150 of Tracy’s Procedures for free when you sign up to Waybook