Howdy! and welcome to Project Simplify. Either intentionally or accidentally, you’ve stumbled upon the page of “what’s this all about?” With a firm grip on the reins of runaway exclamation points, here ’tis in a nutshell.

What is Project Simplify?

Project Simplify is a place to get support, inspiration, and know-how to work differently (Read: easier, more fun, and more fulfilling). If you’re a creative, entrepreneur, have a home office, or some combination thereof, you’re in the right place.

A little about Shawn

I am somewhat (very?) obsessed with simplifying. These are the kinds of questions that keep me up at night:

• How can I minimize the have-to so I can focus on the want-to?
• How do I stay connected with my Core Self when in the middle of the perfect storm?
• How do I live joyfully in everything I do?

That this passion o’mine has led to a business of helping others easify their work and life is the freaking Coolest Thing Ever.

This business has become a lifestyle that I dig even more than a caffè latte after yoga class. I get perma-grin from client appointments. I get to frolic in the Fields of Creativity dreaming up more interesting and helpful ways to convey the info. And I know, without a doubt, that my efforts are contributing to ending the Era of Struggle. Booya!!

I’d be totally lying if I said that it’s been like this forever. I spent my ’20s after college stressing out over what to do to “make a difference”, all the while holding back in fear of making the “wrong” decision and thereby making no difference. Oops.

The Beginnings

I entered the world of Admin, career path of the lost, Liberal Arts degree holder. Somehow I knew that Corporate America wasn’t my thing so I veered toward the small business.

Oh my, what a naive assumption of my employers did I have! It went something like this: If this person were clever enough to run a business, they must know what they’re doing in all aspects of their business.

Mind you these were typical entrepreneurial types: they forged ahead fueled by their passion, focusing on what they knew and blissfully ignoring just about everything else.

The veil began to drop in one of these jobs.

The owner was a particularly inspiring woman who had been in business for several years. Within a couple of months, I began to see how her positive perspective conveniently glossed over certain things.

I saw missed payments even though there was money in the bank, skipped appointments because they weren’t written down, important documents lost in a sea of piles, miscommunications from unexpressed expectations. The list went on.

My naive assumption slowly turned into disbelief. Why was she wasting so much time putting out fires? Why didn’t she have useful filing systems? Why didn’t she plan ahead? How could she possibly be staying in business??! The truth was she that she was barely limping by, month to month.

It dawned on me that I saw her business in a way that she didn’t.

Being rather shy at the time and operating under some archaic wait-for-the-Boss-to-tell-me-what-to-do model, I was hesitant to speak up. But, wow, it drove me nuts!! She was such a kind person doing such great work—it was painful seeing her flounder.

Finally, I mustered the courage to speak up. I began to make suggestions. Much to my surprise, she welcomed my ideas. Not only that, she asked for more.

My role as employee evolved into contractor and bookkeeper so that I could help more small businesses. And I did for several years.

Moving into the Now

In 2005, Project Simplify was born, rooted in the dream of supporting small business owners in shifting from day-to-day struggling to kicking ass and doing great work in the world while honoring their well-being.

I’ve even come up with a name for these fine folk: Natural Professionals.

And what a rewarding experience this has been!

Seeing people awaken to the realization that work can be done differently makes me ridiculously happy.

Do I want this for every single person who has even the tiniest inkling that it can be easier? You bet. Do I want this to be a world-wide movement? Of course.

Shall we hook up?

If this resonates with you, if working easier and having more of a positive impact on the world is your shtick, then let’s be in touch. Signing up below will get you The Simplifier, occasional newsletter of the Natural Professional plus 10 Ways in 10 Days to Kick Ass without Kicking Your Own Ass.

In any case, I’ll wrap up with my favorite motto: Let it be easy.

Shawn Tuttle
CEO, Chief Easify Officer

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