Real question … do you like the business you’re building?
A founder friend asked me that this week, and it hit hard.
We all start the same; with passion.
Then, before we know it, we’re buried in endless admin tasks and getting away from the very things that got us here in the first place.
Over the past few days, I’ve balanced startup advisory calls, mentoring sessions, brand deals, a 9-to-5, and prepping for speaking gigs while my mind spins with new ideas. I love what I’m building but unmanaged, this hustle can become a self-made prison with no time left to enjoy the life I’m working so hard for.
On three separate advisory calls, one theme can coming up: doing the boring stuff first is the only way to stay on track and keep loving what you do.
So this week I want to unpack why tackling the unsexy stuff upfront is your ticket to building sustainably and actually enjoying the journey.
In this issue, we’ll cover:
A free virtual event for creator businesses by Beehiiv
Why boring stuff like processes and systems actually matter
Let’s get to work!
— Brandon Smithwrick
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Beehiiv powers this newsletter, and if you’re torn between Substack and Beehiiv, I get it. Both are great platforms with different pros and cons!
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🚧 Your Shortcut to Creative Freedom
Personally, I want a sustainable creative life but the boring stuff is what allows that.
I’m talking about the unsexy tasks like scheduling posts, setting up invoicing systems, or building an organized hub for your files. These are the things that quietly keep your business (and your sanity) intact.
When it was just me, my messy systems worked fine, because they only had to work for me.
But now? I’ve got a partnerships manager, a fractional CFO, and I’m hiring more soon. Without systems, I’d spend every day putting out fires instead of creating.
So what exactly is the “boring stuff” you need to tackle now?

1. If you repeat it, systemize it
I first learned this when I kept sending invoices manually.
I’d pull up a Google Sheet, fill it out, email it, track it, send reminders… it was a mess. One day, I explained my process out loud to a friend and realized; this is not scalable.
Sometimes, just talking through your workflow, like you’re teaching someone else, reveals how clunky it really is.
And remember: creating a system doesn’t have to cost money. I switched to Wave, a 100% free invoicing tool that even sends overdue reminders automatically.
That alone freed up hours I could put back into writing and creating instead of chasing payments.
Your Homework: Pick one repetitive task you do every week (like sending invoices or onboarding new clients). Write out your step-by-step process, then find a tool or template to automate or simplify it.
2. Build for where you’re going
The “team of one” mentality has to go.
Even if you don’t plan to hire a full-time employee right now, odds are you’ll bring on freelancers, contractors, or part-time help sooner than you think.
When that happens, you’ll save yourself endless headaches if you already have organized systems, like a shared Google Drive, Notion hub, or Airtable database, so you’re not jumping on calls every time someone needs a file or an answer.
Your Homework: Start a “Company Hub” folder or Notion workspace. Add at least one doc someone else could use: maybe a brand guide, an onboarding checklist, or key contacts list.
3.Systemize your calendar—seriously.
Nothing kills your creative flow faster than jumping from a deep creative task into a boring admin chore. If you don’t control your calendar, it will control you.
Structure your week intentionally: maybe Mondays are your admin days and Tuesdays are for creative work.
Or block specific hours each day, like one hour for creating content, another for replying to emails, and another for calls.
From experience, I can tell you: setting up your calendar this way helps you avoid constant task-switching and protects your best energy for what really matters.
Your Homework: Audit your calendar this week. Block time for your big priorities creative work, admin tasks, calls, and make sure you’re not bouncing randomly between them.
The boring systems you put in place now are what make your business sustainable. and keep you loving what you do.
Don’t worry I know it’s a headache, I’ll be building a way to shorten this stress very soon.
⌛ ICYMI
Ads are tricky, but I partnered with Adobe Express to show you an easier way — watch here
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How to build a killer content system — read more
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