You know your systems are working for you if things begin to fall apart when you neglect them.  I basically … forgot …  to write and send my newsletter last week because I wasn’t using my trusty calendar system as I should have been.

And I really, really should have been considering it was an unusual week that included some firsts.

One was my first Time Management class. It’s going great, but – wow – do you learn more from doing than planning!  The other was speaking to SECP about the benefits of using an operations manual in micro-businesses.

In that presentation I highly recommended using your manual to capture lessons learned.  These are as flighty as those brilliant ideas you get in the shower and just as useful.

So, my recent lessons learned:

1. use your tools even when you don’t feel like you need them
2. don’t do two firsts in one week, even if you are Super Planner Girl

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What happens when you stop using your systems?  Do you ever reach the point of not needing them?  Do they ever become so ingrained as to be subconscious habit?

How do you capture and act on what you are learning in your business?  How do you make use of the lessons your business teaches you every day?

Related posts:

1. Lessons Learned #17 – Using a hammer when you need power tools
2. Business Manual-Preparation