The System You Already Have
Before you automate anything, recognize the systems already running your business—even the messy ones.
You already have a system.
It might not be elegant. It might involve sticky notes, a shared Google Doc, or someone who "just knows" how things work. But if your business is running, there's a system making it happen.
The mistake most businesses make? They try to replace their system before they understand it.
Why This Matters
Every business has workflows—patterns that repeat, decisions that get made, information that flows from one person to another. These aren't problems to fix. They're clues to follow.
When you rush to "get organized" with new software, you're essentially asking a tool to solve a problem you haven't fully diagnosed.
The Better Approach
1. Map what's actually happening. Not what should happen according to best practices, but what truly happens on a Tuesday afternoon when everything is on fire.
2. Identify what's working. Even messy systems have parts that work beautifully. Don't throw those out.
3. Name the friction points. Where do things slow down? Where do people get confused? Where does information get lost?
Only then do you have enough clarity to decide what to automate, what to simplify, and what to leave alone.
Systems Are Your Business's Superpower
When they're designed for how work actually happens—not how it's supposed to happen.
That's the difference between automation that helps and automation that adds complexity.