Page 56 - Paulisms: Gold Nuggets for Small Business

have a list, create one. Write all the things you have on and have to do. Just simply write them all down. I then prioritise as per my time management method (see Part 2: Chapter 4.1.1). So, stop, pause and reflect on what you have to do, write the tasks, prioritise and get underway. Start chipping away at the list. You will be surprised how quickly it focusses you and how much you get done. All of a sudden, the pressure is released and you are on top of your game!
2.5.1 Crystallise your thinking in writing
A dear friend of mine, Brian McGowan, used to always say to me, ‘Paul, put it in writing to crystallise your thinking.’
On a recent trip to the USA, I was brainstorming a business opportunity for a friend. We were talking about all aspects of his model. It was a start-up situation and I was pushing to ensure the model had been thought out, as it’s hard to change once you commence trading. The discussion went on for some time. I said, ‘OK, let’s focus ourselves so we can see the model clearly. Let’s crystallise our thinking by putting the model and sales channels up on a white board.’ I drew up a matrix (table) of the distribution, sales channels, pricing model, etc. Up to then it was confusing how the model would work and how all the sales channels and reseller entities would fit. As soon as we started to put the parts of the jigsaw in writing on the board, all of a sudden the fog cleared and we could see the overall picture. From there, I further crystallised our thinking on paper with a