You can't step away and do something else if everything's going to come to a screeching halt when you do.
To be prepared for maintenance mode, you have to figure out how to get the behind-the-scenes systems to operate, consistently, without you.
In order to get your business into maintenance mode–and build a stronger business while you're at it–you have to answer the question, "What if I'm not here?"
Ideally, the answer is that nothing changes. Invoices still get sent on time, your products and services still get delivered, and the wheels on the bus keep going round and round. That's the goal of maintenance mode, to me.
There are some tasks that really don't lend themselves to having a computer do it. But MOST back-end administration of a business can be automated.
And for me, automating that back-end tasks means my business won't break if I'm not here for a bit.
The other payoff is that even if I AM working in my business, I have time to do other, more interesting things. I could even start another project like my friend Jason did.
Jason Staats is a CPA in Salem Oregon. He's principal at Brenner LLP by day, and an accounting tech enthusiast by night. In addition to his CPA firm, he has also started Launch for Accountants, which is a newsletter and website with all the latest software launches. He's built Realize, a community for accountants and he is launching a software product.
All those projects he's started and continues to run? He used technology to make that work and keep them all running, even if he's not IN that business all the time.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
Learn more about Jason Staats:
Learn more about Susan:
Taking a Break
Bake In Boundaries in Your Default Settings with Brittany Berger
Examining Your Relationship With Your Business With Nicole Lewis-Keeber
Busting Productivity Myths and Redefining Work Life Balance with Tanya Dalton
The End Goal of Maintenance Mode, What it Is, and What it Isn't
Self Awareness as the Key That Unlocks Consistency with Marie Poulin
When to Quit and When to Persevere in Your Business with Margo Aaron
Building Healthy Habits That Facilitate Consistency with Sarah Von Bargen
Preparing Your Business So You Can Take a Real Break with Claire Pelletreau
Hiring, Selecting Business Partners, and Growing a Team That Enables Maintenance Mode with India Jackson
Develop a Sales Process With An Eye Toward Consistency with Allison Davis
Work on a Consistent Message and Marketing System to Prepare For Maintenance Mode with Michelle Mazur
Shift Your Model To Get Your Business to Maintenance Mode with Mark Butler
The Maintenance Mode Mindset: Stop Breaking Your Business with Racheal Cook
Finka Jerkovic - Assessing + Addressing Your Capacity as Founder
Assessing Your Business' Capacity with Anna Wolf
Startup vs Maintenance CEO: Is it One or the Other? with Sarah Avenir
Starting With the End in Mind and Reverse Engineering the Plan with Ryan Lazanis
What Does Maintenance Mode Look Like? featuring Ryan Lazanis, Anna Wolf, and Tamara Kemper
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