5 things to steal from the office before you quit

Here’s what you need to steal before you quit:

The IT person

Oh how I miss being asked if I’ve tried re-starting the computer! At least someone was paying attention to my lazy laptop. Now, I’m on my own, and the support services aren’t cheap. If you have an IT guru at your office, sashay up to them and ask if they’d be open to helping you out in your new venture. It’ll mean that going forward you’ll be working with someone who already knows you, and might not charge like a wounded bull.

Your productivity audit

While you’re at your desk in your last days, do a productivity audit and write a list of everything you did that day. It’ll help to have some perspective when you’re a soloist and trying to change the world before 11am. Remembering your normal routine and work output will help you manage your expectations and keep a level head. Where once I had a big day at work smashing five tasks, I expected to complete thirty when I had my own micro-business. This really set me up for disappointment in the early days.

A black pen

Creep into the stationery cupboard at the office and have a good look around. Even take a photo on your iPhone as a reminder of what not to do! It’s probably full of hundreds of dollars’ worth of folders, paper, and staplers. You won’t need this, so remember this cupboard of wasted money. And while you’re there, help yourself to a single black pen. Then you won’t need to go near Officeworks for a few months.

The complaints file

Have you got some old emails from a cranky client? Great! Print them out. It will help you when you have your first angry customer. As a soloist, it breaks my heart when someone doesn’t love my business as much as I do! However, it’s inevitable that someone will find your flaws, and let you know loud and clear. It will be helpful to remember that even big businesses have unhappy clients too, except as a small business, you’re in a position to pivot and fix your systems quickly and grow bigger and better!

Something that reminds you

I have the service bell from a restaurant where I worked as a waitress. I hated that bell, it was so bossy! Every time it rang I had to race to the kitchen and take orders. Now, when I look at that bell it represents how far I have come. There’s no-one ringing my bell now!

Now, run! And enjoy your next adventure!