by Kidpreneurs 25 Nov 2019

The old saying “Less is More” may seem unrealistic and frustrating at times. However, the succinct adage is generally spot on.  For example, when it comes to reducing distractions, clutter, and redundant processes in business, less truly is more. This allows a business to become more efficient and productive.  This is key even for young entrepreneurs to learn as they venture out in starting and growing their own business. 

If you haven’t heard about the KonMari method of decluttering and organizing a household, then you are missing out on great tips for how to streamline your life (and business) in big ways.  

In 2011, Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizing consultant, released her book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.  Soon, the trend caught on, as people began to see the magic that happened when they kept only things that “sparked joy”. 

How is This Relevant to a Kidpreneur Business?

When we teach children to focus on the fundamentals, on the processes and habits that truly matter, we allow them to eliminate anything that distracts them from their goals.  This frees up space for them to be more creative, more confident, and more joyful.

We are all aware of the inordinate amount of distractions that kids (and adults) deal with on a daily basis.  The “noise” of life often includes the ongoing pinging of social media and text notifications, looming homework deadlines, or a Netflix binge in progress. Noise doesn’t have to literally make a sound in order to shift our attention away from the task at hand.  Our own nagging thoughts can often be the “loudest” thing in the room!

In business, eliminating distractions, negative habits, methods that are time-consuming, and all forms of clutter helps to amp up productivity by creating focus (both physically and mentally).  You don’t have to be a clean freak to know that an organized and tidy work space helps to encourage a clean and tidy mind space. This is called minimalism and it is a mindset that is universally embraced by many cultures for its ability to foster a sense of freedom and, ultimately, control. 

Think about it this way:  when you pull weeds from your yard or garden, you literally create space for new plants to bloom.  You remove what is potentially strangeling growth, or attracting pests, and create a visual landscape that can blossom into something extraordinary. 

This works the same in business!

As we teach kids to minimize what isn’t necessary, or remove what has become far too complicated, we help them learn how to think more strategically about their business.  This process opens up a whole new world of opportunity and also tends to reduce overwhelm and anxiety that kids may have been feeling. 

What Can You Help Kids Minimize or Eliminate in Their Business?

There are numerous ways in which you and your child can work together to identify areas of their business that could benefit from minimalism.

Key areas to consider include:

• Management/employees/hiring
• Platforms for selling
• Methods of advertising/marketing
• Outsourcing (website design/management, payment processing, social media management, copywring, etc)
• Work environment
• Online systems/software/processes/inventory management
• Packaging and shipping
• Customer communication/feedback
• Project management
• Accounting and payroll

Take a good look at each of these areas of your child’s business and identify things could be simplified or outsourced.  Oftentimes, entrepreneurs are using systems or methods that are outdated or have long been cumbersome, but they just haven’t taken the small time investment needed to restructure or eliminate them. 

Free Up Space in Their Space

It can’t be said enough that the state of your child’s office/work space is often the state of their head space.  This doesn’t mean that a messy office or creative space is the be all and end all of a business. Sometimes chaos and disorder happens when amazing things are in progress.

But setting up an efficient work space can give your kid an important leg up in their business and help them stay on track.  Think about ways to better organize supplies, products, materials, and technology so that it’s more accessible and practical.  No kid wants to have to search for their shipping labels or slime-making supplies every single time they get an order.  

Consider installing white boards and making sure calendars and planners are handy in your child’s workspace. Include an organized area of materials to boost their creativity, such as markers, pens, and colored paper.  Also, don’t forget to include a charging station for their electronics so that they can always stay in touch with customers and clients. 

Lastly, make their workspace is as cozy and welcoming as possible. This includes being sure there is natural light, providing comfortable furniture and clear table space (for that slime-making to happen), and allowing a child to personalize the area.  Kids love being able to put their unique stamp on a workspace. As a bonus, having a space they are proud of encourages a sense of pride in their business. 

Don’t be surprised when reducing unnecessary items and inconvenient processes from your child’s business leads to an increase in enthusiasm and productivity! 

As children begin to focus on what really matters, they are able to more fully maximize their potential as kidpreneurs.