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Field Note 8: Drawing the Map
I was raised to believe there was a formula. Follow the rules. Work hard. Be responsible. Do the sensible thing. Do all of that, and eventually, everything will pay off. I believed that. I think part of me still does. The funny thing is, I don’t remember ever actually having a map. There was never… Continue reading
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Field Note 7: The Work Is Never Finished
There’s a phrase in sales that says, “Always be closing.” Lately, I’ve been thinking about a different version of that idea. When you’re building something of your own, it feels more like: Always be building. The work never really ends. There’s always another email to answer, another project to improve, another idea worth exploring, or… Continue reading
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Field Note 6: The Work Behind the Work
Yesterday got away from me. I had plans for the afternoon. There were things I wanted to work on for my own business, a list waiting for me, and—as usual—more ideas than hours. Instead, client work happened. An email needed an answer. A transaction needed a follow-up. A database needed attention. One thing turned into… Continue reading
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Field Note 5: The Job Description I Didn’t Know I Was Writing
For a long time, I thought I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Technical writer. Transaction coordinator. Operations consultant. Marketing assistant. Book editor. Every time I found a new role that sparked my interest, I wondered if I was changing directions again. Lately, though, I’ve realized something. Maybe I haven’t been… Continue reading
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Field Note 4: The Difference Between Being Busy and Being Effective
There was a time when I measured a productive day by how exhausted I felt at the end of it. If I answered every email, attended every meeting, crossed dozens of things off my list, and barely had time to eat lunch, I considered it a successful day. Now I’m not so sure. Being busy… Continue reading
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Field Note 3: Before You Buy New Software, Fix This First
There’s a temptation every business owner knows well. When something feels disorganized, we assume there’s another app waiting to solve it. A better CRM. A different project manager. A smarter AI assistant. A more expensive subscription. Sometimes those tools are exactly what’s needed. Most of the time, though, the real problem isn’t the software. It’s… Continue reading
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Field Note 2: The Best Operations are the ones Nobody Notices
The most effective operations are often the ones no one notices. Discover how thoughtful systems create calmer businesses, stronger client experiences, and more time for the work that matters most. Continue reading
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Field Note 1: Why I Built a Library
Every business has a story. This is the story behind why JoAnna Hicks Operations was built as a library instead of a traditional business website—and why thoughtful systems matter. Continue reading
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