I’ve learned that success and liberation in both business and life come down to four simple yet powerful steps: Eliminate, Simplify, Automate, and Delegate. These four pillars have been my guiding principles throughout my career, and they have allowed me to achieve unparalleled levels of freedom and liberation.
Step 1: Eliminate
In our fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information, tasks, and responsibilities. The first step to gaining freedom and liberation is to learn the art of elimination. This means cutting out anything that doesn’t add value to our lives or businesses.
Think of it as decluttering your financial strategy or business plan. Just like Marie Kondo suggests tidying up our homes, we must declutter our financial portfolios and business operations. Eliminate investments that no longer serve us, products or services that aren’t profitable, and time-consuming tasks that don’t contribute to our goals.
I once had a client who was drowning in a sea of financial products, from various insurance policies to complicated investment schemes. By simplifying her portfolio and eliminating unnecessary products, we managed to increase her overall returns while reducing her stress levels significantly.
Step 2: Simplify
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and it applies to both personal and business finances. After eliminating the excess, the next step is to simplify what remains. Create a clear and concise financial plan or a streamlined business strategy.
For instance, in business, we can simplify our marketing efforts by focusing on the most effective channels and messages. We can streamline our product offerings, ensuring that each one serves a distinct purpose and resonates with our target audience. The famous success story of Apple Inc. exemplifies the power of simplicity in business. Steve Jobs led the company to prosperity by focusing on a limited number of products that were beautifully designed and user-friendly.
Similarly, in personal finance, simplification can be achieved through budgeting and automating regular expenses. By setting up automatic bill payments and savings contributions, we can avoid unnecessary stress and ensure that our financial commitments are met consistently.
Step 3: Automate
Automation is a game-changer in the pursuit of freedom and liberation. Thanks to the marvels of modern technology, we can automate various aspects of our financial and business operations, saving time and reducing the risk of human error.
In the business world, automation can streamline repetitive tasks, such as payroll processing or inventory management. For instance, Amazon, one of the world’s leading companies, has built an empire on the backbone of automated processes in its fulfillment centers, ensuring efficient and error-free order processing.
In personal finance, automation can make a significant difference. Setting up automatic transfers to savings and investment accounts ensures that we pay ourselves first. Moreover, automating bill payments prevents late fees and keeps our financial life organized.
Step 4: Delegate
One of the most challenging steps for many ambitious individuals is learning to let go and delegate. However, delegation is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and scaling a successful business.
As a CEO, I’ve learned that empowering my team members and trusting them with responsibilities is essential for their growth and the overall success of the company. Delegation allows me to focus on strategic decision-making and high-impact tasks, while my team handles day-to-day operations.
In personal finance, delegation can mean seeking the advice of financial professionals or wealth managers. Entrusting experts with investment decisions can lead to better outcomes, especially for those without the time or expertise to navigate complex financial markets.
Additionally, successful entrepreneurs and business pioneers often delegate tasks that are not within their expertise, such as marketing or IT support, to specialized agencies or consultants. This enables them to concentrate on their core strengths and achieve greater efficiency.
Bottom Line
Eliminate, Simplify, Automate, and Delegate are the four simple steps that can lead us to freedom and liberation in both our personal and business endeavors. As a female financial expert, business pioneer, CEO, and leader, I can attest to the power of these principles in transforming lives and businesses.
By eliminating what doesn’t serve us, simplifying our strategies, automating routine tasks, and delegating responsibilities, we can focus on what truly matters, unlock our full potential, and achieve unparalleled success. So, let’s embrace these steps, armed with sophisticated humor, and embark on a journey towards freedom and liberation that will positively impact our lives and the lives of others around us. Remember, liberation is within our grasp, and with these four steps, the sky’s the limit!
We’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me via Twitter or Facebook. At LexION Capital, our priority is to make our clients’ financial goals a reality by providing hands-on wealth management solutions, backed up by science-based insights into the financial industry. We help you maintain well-diversified investment plans. Should you need help in the aspect of financial growth, please visit my company’s website, LexION Capital.
Elle Kaplan is the founder and CEO of LexION Capital, a fiduciary wealth management firm in New York City serving everyone who feels left out by traditional “Wall Street”, including women and the families they love.