Facing the Fear of SOPs: Why You’re Stuck and How to Move Forward

Fear: The Biggest Productivity Killer You Don’t See

Every entrepreneur has been there. You start thinking about creating SOPs, and suddenly your mind is flooded with doubts:

• What if I document the wrong process?
• What if my team ignores it?
• What if I don’t even know the best way to do this myself?

So, what happens? Nothing. You push SOPs to the back burner and tell yourself you’ll do them later. But later never comes.

Here’s the truth: Avoiding SOPs doesn’t keep things the same—it actually makes them worse. Without them, tasks stay messy, your team keeps asking you the same questions, and scaling your business remains a struggle.

Breaking Through: Why Your First SOPs Should Be “Bad”

Yes, you read that right. Your first SOPs should be bad. Why? Because getting started is the hardest part, and if you expect perfection, you’ll never begin.

Here’s what to do instead:

1. Forget About “Perfect” – Aim for functional, not flawless. A rough draft that helps someone complete a task is infinitely better than nothing.
2. Use the “10-Minute Rule” – Set a timer for 10 minutes and document whatever you can in that time. No overthinking, just action.
3. Make It a Team Effort – Assign someone to test the SOP and fill in the gaps. You don’t have to do this alone.

Real Talk: Your Business is Already Running on SOPs (You Just Haven’t Written Them Down Yet)

Every process you and your team repeat is an unwritten SOP in action. The problem? It only exists in people’s heads. If they leave, get sick, or move on, so does that knowledge.

Instead of thinking about SOPs as something new to create, just document what you’re already doing. Record a screen share, write a bullet list, or jot it down in a Google Doc. That’s it. You’ve officially started.

Why Waiting is Costing You More Than You Think

Every day you delay SOPs, you’re:

• Losing time answering repetitive questions.
• Wasting energy fixing preventable mistakes.
• Slowing your business’s ability to grow.

The longer you wait, the bigger these problems become. The good news? You can fix this today.

Your Next Step: Take 10 Minutes Now

Right now, set a timer for 10 minutes. Pick one process you do regularly and document it—messy, imperfect, and all. Then commit to improving it later. That’s how you start.

If you’re ready to get serious about SOPs and make your business run smoother, start small, and keep moving forward. A week from now, you’ll be glad you did.

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