Stop, start, continue
Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE #156
More and more these days we’re encouraged to continuously improve what we do and how we do it, so much so that growth has become something of a necessity.
Sadly, much of that necessity comes with a significant price tag—either in time or financially.
While there are any number of ways we can all do better, one of the most effective ways of upping our game while spending very little money is the philosophy of Stop, Start, Continue, (SSC): a framework that stands because it’s both simple and effective.
At its core, SSC offers a clear pathway by identify the practices you need to cut out; it identifies what you need to start doing, and it looks at the existing processes that you can carry on with.
Here’s how SSC can transform the way you work:
First, SSC helps you identify key actions, specific behaviours, and embedded processes that are either outdate or that are no longer serving you because they are inefficient.
The “Stop” component asks you to detach yourself from any personal involvement and to assess your current practices and processes as dispassionately as possible in order to identify inefficiencies.
For this part of the process to do its job you must detach from any emotional or financial investment and you need to be ruthless.
There can be no room for sentiment, or for thoughts of “Oh, but we’ve always done it this way!” because what’s the point in sticking to a plan that’s no longer serving your desired outcomes?
If you can’t be open, honest, and completely detached in your evaluation of what isn’t working for you—whether that’s because it’s an outdated process or because it’s connected to an antiquated behaviour, or because it’s related to unnecessary meetings, or because it’s underpinned by ineffective uses of space, tools, equipment, or knowledge—NOTHING THAT FOLLOWS WILL HELP YOU!
By stopping practices that are no longer pulling their weight you automatically free up valuable time and resources, allowing you to focus on activities that either drive more value or that produce more consistent results.
For instance, let’s say you decide lengthy status meetings that never include follow-up points are draining morale and killing productivity. Isn’t it better to replace them with processes that foster greater engagement and more useful feedback? I think it is.
The “Start” part of the process invites teams to explore new methods, processes, initiatives, and innovations that have the potential to increase results and to improve outcomes.
The key to this part of the process is a willingness to take a step into the unknown.
I get that change is scary.
Change means doing something new.
Change means breaking old, familiar patterns.
Change instills the one thing that stops newness dead in its tracks, and that’s fear.
The antidote to this is courage.
Fear is a lot of things but one thing it’s not is tough. Fear is an emotional bully that needs taking down a peg or two.
When fear faces off against courage, fear is going down.
Fear, when faced head on, simply cannot survive in a world of courage—having courage means being afraid of the fear and doing the scary thing anyway.
The start part of the process means being 100% adaptable and being open to trying new ideas and methods.
Without adaptability change cannot happen.
For change to have an impact something new has to happen and that new thing needs a tangible, positive result—something that produces a desirable end.
Businesses can pilot new technologies, adopt agile methodologies, or explore fresh marketing strategies. You as a creator can look at new ways of publishing, or you can try new platforms, or you can recycle content.
The more you’re willing to shift, the greater your results are likely to be.
Finally, the “Continue” aspect looks at celebrating what you’re already doing well.
Carrying on doing something that works well can boost your morale and ensure that your effective practices carry on and get amplified. Upping your game on successful strategies—from having a strong customer service protocol to using and efficient supply chain—creates a solid and unbeatable foundation for growth.
Regularly celebrating your successes encourages a positive work environment and keeps you motivated to maintain your high performance.
If you work as part of a team, and I know many content creators don’t, one of the greatest advantages of the Stop, Start, Continue framework is its collaborative nature because it invites input from all levels of the organization, fostering a sense of ownership among team members.
Because the process of identifying what should be stopped, started, or continued isn’t always one person’s role, by bringing other people into the process you’re more likely to keep your team engaged and invested in the outcomes.
This inclusive approach not only enhances buy-in but also uncovers diverse perspectives that might otherwise go unrecognized.
Although the Stop, Start, Continue philosophy isn’t perfect, it can go a long way to offer a practical, structured approach to business improvement. By focusing on eliminating inefficiencies, embracing new opportunities, and reinforcing strengths, solo agents and organizations alike can foster a culture of continuous improvement.
This framework not only enhances operational effectiveness but also empowers teams, driving them toward a common goal: sustained success in an ever-evolving marketplace. Embracing this philosophy could very well be the key to unlocking your business’s full potential.
The Stop, Start, Continue framework is more than a simple tool for evaluation; it’s a strategic approach that can transform how organizations operate.
By encouraging reflection, fostering collaboration, and driving accountability, this philosophy equips businesses to navigate challenges effectively.
Ultimately, the framework not only leads to improved processes and outcomes but also cultivates a proactive, engaged workforce ready to tackle the future.
Embracing this philosophy can unlock new levels of efficiency, innovation, and success in your business journey. Give it a go. You never know, it could be the life changing process you’ve been longing for.
As always, thanks for reading.
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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … Why you need to take notes.
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