Despite this, there are many things you can do to improve your level of clarity (see http://www.businesssimplification.com.au/actions/clarity.htm). But none of these will work unless you are prepared to do two things:

- First, you need to be prepared to be honest with yourself. It can be very convenient to kid yourself that you have clarity - that you have all answers - when really you are simply tired of trying.

The histories of science and business are littered with examples of evidence being selectively gathered - and ignored - to support a preconceived notion, rather than to truly understand. Take various large business collapses of recent times as cases in point. 'Experts' do it all time.

- Secondly, remember that we always have lived and always will live in uncertain times - and we will always be busy. I found following in a business book recently: "Most easily is necessity for personal stock-taking overlooked in rush and routine of earning a living". It was written in 1876*.

The time to take stock is now.

*James Platt, "Business", London, 1876

© David Brewster, May 2002

Take your average plumber. He is selling his skills - certainly not a system. The plumber loves to plumb - he hates administration. But we still expect him to return our calls, to keep appointments and to provide us with accurate invoices.

So plumber has a choice. He can forget to return calls, turn up late and get increasingly bogged down in paperwork (both of which happen all too often). Or he can put in place a basic time management and bookkeeping system.

Either way he'll still be a good plumber, but system will provide him with more, happier customers and greater peace-of-mind.

What your plumber can't systemise is art of plumbing. His experience and his apparently innate ability to diagnose a problem: these can only be passed on properly over time. Becoming plumbing equivalent of Ronald McDonald is unrealistic.

Somewhere between McDonald's and your plumber lie most other businesses. Systems have a place in every business - it is simply a matter of degree. But we need to make a conscious effort to identify those parts of our business that can be 'systemised'.

In long run, we will be rewarded with a simpler business and happier customers.

© David Brewster, January 2002