Dear New Entrepreneur…

There are so many things I want to say to the new entrepreneur, anyone who is just starting a side gig or going in full time. But for now I’ll skip the warnings about scam artists and admonishments to “be authentic” and only share about the unending black hole of suck that no one ever discusses.

Files.

Oh dear god, you’ll think that your computer is spawning them in the night with how quickly they pile up.

Yes, even if you have a “simple business” or don’t employ anyone yet.

And while most people still mentally think files = paperwork or Word docs let me tell you: it’s a lot worse than that.

You’ll have bookmarks of that great article you read or the software you want to try out, audio downloads of podcasts to listen to, training calls from that webinar last month, worksheets to go with the webinars, oh and bonus sheets, cheat sheets and scripts too. You’ll have video files and edited video files, possibly even blooper video footage saved (why?), drafts of that ebook you wanted to write, blog posts in progress, 12 versions of a logo you hated, new logos in a bunch of different formats and sizes, OOOH stock images that you’ll use… somewhere… eventually, and client contracts, testimonials, copies of client worksheets, pictures from that event you attended, binders from the event, business cards… oy vey.

Just going through that list is exhausting and yet it doesn’t even scratch the surface. There’s legal stuff and finances, brainstorms and notes, assets from your brand and so much more.

Trust me. So much more.

So, new entrepreneur, have I scared you away yet? In truth, if you don’t want to deal with it all, it’s totally okay to say “no thanks” and work for someone else. You’ll still have to deal with files, but they’ll probably tell you how to store, delete, and archive them.

But if being an entrepreneur is still worth it, then now is the time, yes right now, to organize thyself.

Because consider that we have the same mess of files and paperwork to deal with as adults. Imagine if everyone, on their 18th birthday, was sat down and given the tools to organize it all. Files for bills and your birth certificate, bank statements and rental agreements. Imagine, as the entire world attempted to go paperless, that you had a process for organizing those utility bills that get emailed to you, the pictures from Nana’s birthday and yes, even the “amazing” recipes you saw on Facebook that you want to make “someday.”

Instead, most of us are trying to figure it out on our own, with hundreds of gurus sharing their own processes for organizing photos and bills and insurance paperwork.

But no one does the same for our businesses. Until now.

It’s something that I’ve worked on for years now as a personal project because a) I really, really like being organized and b) too much chaos on my computer hampers my ability to create.

It was only when I started sharing these tactics with some of my clients who were #sodisorganized that I realized how few entrepreneurs know how to do this.

Not just new entrepreneurs. All of them.

At best, you make a half effort when you have the time (or as a procrastination tactic when facing a big project). At worst, it just piles up like leaves under a mighty oak tree, little by little, until you feel claustrophobically smothered by it all. Until your computer says “no free disc space” when you need to save that client contract.

And it’s a daily source of frustration – not a huge deal like a broken arm but a minor annoyance like a rash that just won’t go away. And everyday it’s bugging you and keeping you from doing your best work.

So really, now is the time. Today. Before you’re running a million-dollar company or have a dozen employees. Before you even create that amazing brand or launch your YouTube channel. Now is the time.

It’s entirely the reason why I created Organize Your Online Business in 5 Days – because I know that if you have an online side of your business, then you need this. And because you don’t have much time. Commit to checking in daily for 5 days, and I’ll show you how to create (and keep!) your business organized in just a week, even if you’re a digital hoarder.

Get all the details at: bit.ly/organize5days