The Secret to Staying Focused: Parking Lot System
Decrease Overwhelm and Increase Productivity with this Simple Business Practice
As entrepreneurs, it’s common to find ourselves flooded with innovative ideas, each one brimming with potential and promise. However, reality often sets in after the initial burst of enthusiasm, leaving us either overwhelmed, burnt out, or struggling to prioritize what truly matters. This week, I’m introducing the concept of a “parking lot system,” a powerful technique to avoid overwhelm and hone in on the projects that genuinely matter. If you often find yourself in a whirlwind of ideas and struggle to navigate their implementation, this innovative approach might just be the change you need in your entrepreneurial journey.
The Entrepreneur’s Struggle
I acknowledge the familiar struggle of being an entrepreneur, juggling a multitude of ideas without adequate time to bring them to fruition. The journey from ideation to execution often involves hurdles such as unfinished projects, misplaced priorities, and even the looming threat of burnout. The entrepreneurial landscape is rich with opportunities, but also rife with the challenge of discerning which ideas truly align with our long-term vision and mission.
The Origins of the Parking Lot System
I candidly share my personal experience, especially after the birth of my son, when the flood of ideas seemed unmanageable. It became evident that not all ideas could be implemented immediately, prompting me to devise the parking lot system. This system creates a space for ideas to rest and be re-evaluated after a designated period, preventing impulsive decision-making and ensuring that projects align with long-term business goals.
The Parking Lot System in Action
First, I break down the step-by-step approach to implementing the parking lot system. By promptly jotting down ideas in my notes app and setting a 30-day review reminder, I curate a waiting period that allows for a thoughtful reassessment of each idea. This simple yet effective practice has proved to be a turning point for me and other business owners, ensuring that only the most aligned and purposeful projects are pursued.
The Parking Lot in Daily Life
The parking lot system has also trickled into my personal life, influencing my decision-making beyond the confines of my business. Drawing parallels between the decisions in home renovations and the practice of discernment, I emphasize the versatile impact of this system in all facets of life. It’s clear that this concept extends far beyond the boardroom, holding profound implications for managing time and priorities on a broader scale.
Empowering Weighing of Priorities
I emphasize the importance of aligning personal and professional commitments with long-term goals, offering advice on practicing discernment in both arenas. The parking lot system becomes a symbol of empowerment, enabling entrepreneurs to revisit their commitments with a sharp focus on what truly matters. By deferring certain decisions, whether in business or personal life, individuals gain the clarity required to make informed choices that resonate with their overarching objectives.
Communal Implications: Sharing the System
I hope other entrepreneurs consider implementing the parking lot system in their own endeavors. I encourage you to reflect on whether the system might benefit your business or personal life, and to see the potential for decreased overwhelm and increased clarity.
Conclusion
In essence, the parking lot system serves as a beacon of clarity and empowerment in the tumultuous realm of entrepreneurial ideation. By embracing this unique approach, entrepreneurs can pave a path to heightened productivity, reduced overwhelm, and a stronger alignment with their overarching goals. By “parking” certain ideas and decisions for re-evaluation, entrepreneurs can drive their ventures with renewed focus and conviction.
Here’s A Glance Of The Episode:
00:00 Using the parking lot system prevents burnout.
05:28 30-day waiting period to evaluate ideas.
07:51 Excitement, starting, revisiting ideas, avoiding burnout.
13:01 Prioritize commitments and reconsider before saying yes.
14:13 Implement a parking lot system for success.
Key Takeaways:
- I introduce the “parking lot system” as a solution to the struggle of being an entrepreneur with numerous ideas but not enough time.
- The system helps cut down overwhelm and lets entrepreneurs focus on projects that truly matter to them.
- I share how the parking lot system helped me avoid burnout and overwhelm after the birth of my son.
- The waiting period of 30 days allows ideas to cool down and helps assess if they align with business goals, since all ideas are good but not all need to be implemented immediately.
- I give practical steps for implementing the parking lot system, such as setting reminders and revisiting ideas after the cooling period.
- The system keeps situations simple, reminds of what’s important, and prevents taking on too many projects, both in business and personal life.
- I encourage the application of the parking lot system to personal commitments and priorities to avoid overcommitting.
and so much more.
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Additional Resources
DM me on Instagram @brandimowles and tell me what you currently use as your system or if you’ll be using the parking lot system!
** This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you use one of the links to purchase. This helps keep the podcast going and I only share products I have used, tested and love.”
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Meet Brandi
Brandi Mowles is the host of the Serve Scale Soar® podcast which is a podcast dedicated to helping service-based entrepreneurs scale their online business to five-figure months so they can soar into six-figure years. Brandi is a wife, mom and in less than one year, created a six-figure business. Now she is spilling all her secrets so you can too.
