How to Simplify Your Business (For You and Your Customers)
Simple systems. Smart time use. Massive impact.
Today’s training is all about one of my favorite topics:
✨ Simplicity.
Because if your business isn’t simple—not only for you but also for your customers—you won’t stick with it.
And if you’re juggling a full-time job, a family, a busy life, or all of the above, then simple isn’t optional… it’s essential.
Listen to the podcast here:
https://pod.co/the-social-selling-sisterhood/simplify-your-business-training-replay
Why Simplicity Matters So Much
I’ve built my business while teaching full-time, traveling internationally every summer, often without Wi-Fi or predictable schedules. The only reason I’ve been able to maintain and grow a network marketing business since 2015 is because I learned how to:
✔️ eliminate clutter
✔️ automate what I could
✔️ systemize everything
✔️ save time wherever possible
✔️ stop recreating the wheel
And today, I’m sharing the exact methods that help me stay consistent—even when life gets chaotic.
1. Start With a Time Audit (Yes, Really.)
This is the part nobody wants to do… but everybody needs.
If you say, “I don’t have time to work my business,” I want you to track your time for 24–48 hours. Or at minimum look at your iPhone screen time report.
Spoiler:
You do have time—you just may not be using it intentionally.
Start asking yourself:
- Where am I wasting time?
- Where am I slowing myself down?
- Where am I doing things manually that could be automated?
- What tasks could be batched?
- What tasks should I stop doing altogether?
You may need someone else (partner, friend, teammate) to lovingly point out blind spots—but the truth will set your business free.
2. Block Your Time or Batch Your Work (Or Both!)
Some people love time blocking. Some love batching. You get to choose what works for your brain.
Time Blocking
I personally love using a daily time block sheet. I schedule:
- workouts
- content creation
- coaching calls
- errands
- podcast recording
- student responsibilities
- dinners
- downtime
It’s not about being rigid—it’s about being intentional.
Batching
Batching is where you do multiple similar tasks at once:
- One hour of sample creation
- One hour of content batching
- One hour of reels
- One hour of customer follow-ups
- One hour of prep for the week
Batching saves HOURS.
And it reduces mental fatigue like crazy.
For example:
One sunny Saturday, I packed a bag, grabbed three shirts, my ears, my tripod, and recorded eight reels in one hour. Now they’re all in Drafts and I just click “Post.”
3. Use Tools You’ll Actually Use
Tools don’t simplify your business unless you love them enough to stick with them. So choose things that feel easy, fun, and intuitive.
Tools I Love Right Now:
✨ Airtable
My current obsession.
It holds:
- all my content
- graphics
- captions
- posting schedule
- categories
- tracking
And the app makes posting SO simple.
✨ Canva
Create templates once—use them forever.
✨ Linktree or Milkshake
One simple hub for all your links.
✨ Q.R. Codes
On vendor tables, mailers, catalogs, thank-you cards—makes it ridiculously easy for customers to find you. You can make these in Canva!
✨ Peloton “stacking”
Not a business tool, but it saves me 10–15 minutes of scrolling.
And time saved = energy I can redirect into my business.
Bottom line:
Use what feels good.
Skip what doesn’t.
4. STOP Recreating the Wheel
This one shift will save you HOURS every week.
You do not need to remake:
- team onboarding systems
- graphics already provided
- guides already created
- training already done
- videos already recorded
Use your company tools.
Use your team tools.
Use the systems provided.
And only create something new when:
✔️ it is absolutely necessary
✔️ or you cannot stand the current one
✔️ or it will save MASSIVE time later
Otherwise? Duplicate, don’t create.
5. Turn On Text Replacements (Life-Changing!)
If you don’t have keyboard shortcuts set up… this tip alone may save you HOURS.
Go into your phone settings → Keyboard → Text Replacement.
Create shortcuts like:
- “sig” → your signature link
- “sample” → your sample follow-up message
- “teamlove” → your check-in message to your team
- “hash1” → your full set of hashtags
- “site” → your website link
Example:
I type “samplesent” → it auto-fills my full “your sample is on the way” message.
This is one of the easiest ways to simplify your messaging and stay consistent without copying/pasting manually all day.
6. Turn OFF Your Notifications
This one is non-negotiable if you want peace AND productivity.
My notifications are OFF for:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Messenger
- Team chats
- Apps
- Groups
The only things that notify me are:
✔️ texts
✔️ calendar
✔️ phone calls
You’re not Amazon Prime.
There are no emergencies in network marketing.
You do NOT need to respond instantly.
And honestly?
Your customers and team shouldn’t expect you to. Instant replies teach people the wrong thing about what this business actually looks like.
I check messages intentionally:
- morning
- lunchtime
- evening
And that’s it.
7. Choose “Good Energy” Tasks Based on How You Feel
High vibe = customer-facing tasks
Low vibe = behind-the-scenes tasks
If I’m low-energy, tired, or cranky?
I am NOT sending prospecting messages.
I am NOT creating content.
I am NOT showing up live.
(Your energy matters.)
Instead, I might:
- send samples
- pack orders
- learn a new strategy
- organize my office
- record notes
- update systems
If I’m high-energy and excited?
That’s when I create, message, film, and connect.
This ONE shift will change your results.
8. Ask Yourself: What Can I Cut Out?
Simplifying isn’t just about doing things faster.
It’s about doing less.
Ask:
- Do I need to be posting on 4 platforms?
- Do I need to be doing 7 types of content?
- Do I need to be on every Zoom?
- Do I need to be creating my own systems?
- Do I need to answer every message instantly?
You don’t get extra credit for suffering.
You get results from simplicity.
Final Thoughts: A Simple Business Is a Sustainable Business
If your business feels complicated, heavy, or chaotic… it doesn’t have to.
You get to build something simple.
You get to create ease.
You get to free up your time.
You get to eliminate the noise.
You get to enjoy this business again.
Start with one or two of the strategies above and watch how quickly your workload lightens.
And if you loved this, please share it!
✨ Screenshot it
✨ Post it in your stories
✨ Tag me @lindsaydollinger
✨ Leave a 5-star review
I’ll share you out to my audience too!
Now go simplify something today—you deserve a business that feels fun, aligned, and easy. 💛