Tag Archives: structure

Pen and Paper

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I’ve started working on writing again (in-between my long stints of reading) and I’m realizing a disturbing trend that must have started with the dry erase boards (and probably in grade school or perhaps even earlier). It is the limitation of the digital. I grant, it’s not a complete limitation but there is certainly a tendency toward predefined types of marks and predefined layouts of those marks (columns, rows, etc…). I never fully realized how limiting these predefined structures are when working towards creative ends. A couple of weeks ago I had a great conversation with one of my professors … Continue reading →

Keeping Them Busy, But Not Too Busy

There is a pretty accurate theory that the child who does not have anything to do, will fill that void and find something to do. While our kids do need some unstructured time, too much unstructured time can make for trouble. When a child is trying to find something to do, he may find something we would rather NOT have him do to fill his time. Our job as parents then becomes to keep them busy, but not so busy they get overwhelmed and stressed. I think that there can even be some limits around unstructured time. There is nothing … Continue reading →

Are You Trapping Yourself in a Box?

When I wrote yesterday about creativity and ways to get those creative juices flowing, I also started thinking about how we can create plans and structures in our home businesses that actually inhibit creativity. Our approach to organization can be so structured that we actually trap ourselves in a box and have a hard time getting out… Having systems and plans and getting organized in your home business is important–for those of us with busy lives, we need structure to keep all those balls in the air. Plus, one of the problems that many home business owners face is just … Continue reading →

Despite Appearance, They Really Do Want Structure

It might seem obvious that little children need and want structure and organization surrounding their lives–but it can become less obvious as kids get older. The way they push against those limits and seem to embrace mess and chaos can cause us to believe that they really don’t want the structure and organization we parents impose. But, the truth is–even those teenagers who are telling us to “loosen up” and “butt out” really do want structure and organization–they are just trying to learn how to do some it themselves. I think we humans strive to make order and structure out … Continue reading →

Using “Systems” in Your Home Business

A system is a procedure or a way of doing things. Those of us who start home businesses often think that we will be able to get away with NOT having set methods or a defined structure and that things can be more laid back and undefined. However, having good working systems is a benefit to even the smallest business. Systems give your home business structure and function. If you set up a system for how you will handle accounts payable and receivable–even if you only get one or two bills and a couple of revenue checks a month–you’ll have … Continue reading →

Considering a “Corporate” Structure for Your Small Home Business

There seem to be a lot of “rules” in business. With all those books, periodicals and other resources telling us exactly how to go about things, it can seem fairly cut and dried. Not to mention the fact that people actually get degrees in business so they can come out knowing all the ins and outs of how to run a business. But how “corporate” do we need to go in our home businesses? It seems that any time you have more than one employee in a business, there is a temptation to start to structure the business in a … Continue reading →