How writing yourself a job description can change everything

In my business, when I’m focused on my purpose, have clarity in the actions I’m taking and can see the path ahead, I feel confident in what I’m doing and secure in the knowledge that if I just keep putting one step in front of another, I will get to where I want to be. However, as soon as I take my eye off the ball, hit an unexpected road block or come up against an unforeseen problem, I start to doubt myself.

Happily I came across a technique a while ago that helps immeasurably with these situations: I sit down and write out both a job description and a person description for the role (or many roles) I do in my business.

And I reckon this technique could work equally well for you.

Let’s say you make cake. You might think your role is ‘baking’. But if you think about it, your role involves a lot more than that.

Here’s what your job description might look like:

• Ability to make a variety of cake styles, baked and decorated to a high standard.
• Stock management and liaison with suppliers.
• Adhering to strict health and safety regulations.
• Creation of marketing materials, including display catalogues, pricing cards and order forms.
• Writing advertisements for local press.
• Social media marketing, including Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and Google +.
• Client liaison via telephone, email and face to face.
• Attending wedding shows, setting up displays and dealing with potential customers in a professional and friendly manner.
• Working to strict deadlines which will also involve problem solving on occasion.
• Dealing with sales orders from start to finish.
• All day-to-day accounting processes.

Want more articles like this? Check out the health and wellbeing section.

The person specification might look like this:

• Experience of high level cake design and production.
• Articulate and numerate.
• Excellent customer service
• Knowledge of desired accounting package and Microsoft Office.
• Level III certificate in Health and Safety of Food Preparation.
• Extensive experience of social media marketing and advertising.
• Ability to adhere to tight deadlines.
• Experience of stock rotation and management.
• Ability to liaise effectively with potential clients, offering guidance and closing sales.
• Patience, commitment and professionalism essential.

Once you get all of the above down, the truth becomes clear: nobody else in the world has your background, skillset, experience or abilities in the way that you do.

When faced with this truth it’s pretty hard to hold on to those nagging self-doubts.

That’s certainly what I’ve found!

Give it a go – I’d love to hear if it has the same effect on you!

For more resources on the subject of small business mental health and to learn how many leading bodies and organisations are rallying to add their weight to this important topic, visit our information page on small business mental health.