Episode 8: How I Built an Operating Manual for My Life (And How You Can Too)

Jun 18

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In this solo episode, Alyssa Lang reveals the power of building a personal handbook to streamline your life and business, sharing relatable stories about hiring her first executive assistant and overcoming mindset blocks around self-support. Alyssa dives into how to set up your own digital handbook, what crucial categories to include, and why investing in personal systems brings more ease, efficiency, and peace of mind—whether or not you have an assistant!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why creating a personal handbook can save you time and stress in your business and life
How to structure and organize a virtual handbook for yourself or your assistant
What kinds of categories and information to include in your personal handbook
Who should have access to your handbook, and when it’s most useful
When and why hiring a personal or executive assistant is worth the ROI for your well-being
Listen to the Full Episode here 👇🏼

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There’s a moment in every entrepreneur’s journey when the business stops being just about you.

When it’s no longer just a lifestyle business covering your car payment, your mortgage, your travel budget… and instead becomes a mission-driven business.

You’re hiring people. Leading a team. Serving clients. Building a legacy.

And when that shift happens, there’s something most of us forget: You still deserve support, too.

In this episode of the Magnetic Millionaire podcast, I introduced a resource that’s changed the way I operate in both business and life. It’s something that’s saved me countless hours, reduced my mental load, and made it possible for my assistant to handle everything from travel hiccups to home renovations without interrupting my flow.

It’s what I call the Alyssa Handbook, and in this post, I’m showing you how to build your own (and why it’s not a luxury, it’s a leadership tool).

What Is a Personal Handbook?

Put simply, your handbook is a centralized, digital hub that houses everything someone would need to support you efficiently and accurately.

Think of it like a private SOP (standard operating procedure) document… for your life.

Here’s what mine includes:

Travel preferences, airline memberships, and seating choices
Pet routines and veterinary info
Emergency protocols and succession plans
Home contractor contacts, pest control schedules, and PO box workarounds
Food preferences, car details, and even how I schedule my calendar

This isn’t just helpful if you have a team or assistant, this is for YOU, too. Because high-functioning women need high-functioning systems.

Why I Created It (And Why You Should, Too)

Hiring a personal assistant was something I resisted for years. I felt like it was indulgent… unnecessary… maybe even shameful. But the truth is, I was burnt out. And not because I wasn’t capable of doing what I was doing, but because I was holding everything. All the time. All by myself. If you’ve ever been stuck on the phone with the DMV or deep in home repair logistics while also trying to run a company, you know exactly what I mean.

What finally clicked for me and changed my mindset around this was that the ROI of personal support isn’t just saved time. It is far greater than that. It’s increased capacity, decreased stress, and sustainable leadership. Creating a personal handbook allowed me to delegate confidently, not just reactively. It meant I could finally let someone step in without constantly explaining myself or without me being the bottleneck.

The Key Shift: You Deserve to Be Supported

Let me say this loud for the women in the back:

You are not cheating the system by getting support.

You are not “too much” for needing someone to manage your inbox and your Amazon returns.

You are not failing because you can’t remember your flight preferences or your pest control plan.

You’re scaling a business. You’re showing up for others. You’re leading a life that requires structure.

And it’s time to stop waiting until you’re drowning to ask for help.

How to Build Your Personal Handbook (Alyssa Style)

You don’t need to build this in a day. Start small, build as you go, and choose a digital platform that’s accessible and editable.

Step 1: Pick a Platform

I use Notion because it’s robust and mobile-friendly. You could also use a Google Doc or spreadsheet, whatever you’ll actually use and share.

Step 2: Create Your Categories

Here are my main ones (yours may differ!):

Personal (ID info, food prefs, car details)
Home (contractor contacts, maintenance, bills)
Travel (miles, flight preferences, hotel notes)
Business Ops (personal scheduling info, email access)
Emergency Protocols (contacts, will access, succession plan)
Dog Info (or kid info if applicable!)
Contact Directory (key service providers and personal contacts)

Each category has sub-sections. For example, under “Travel,” I include preferred airlines, seat row numbers, and even a note that red-eyes are a no-go because of my restless legs.

Step 3: Use It Consistently

You don’t need to load it up on day one. Just start updating it anytime you:

Answer a repeated question
Outsource a personal task
Schedule something with specific preferences
Realize your future self might need that info again

Have a running to-do list or voice notes? Add those too. Treat this like your external brain.

This Isn’t Just a Tool, It’s a Testament to Your Leadership

The most aligned, sustainable success isn’t built on hustle alone. It’s built on clarity, delegation, and systems that support the person behind the business. When you create a handbook, you’re not just organizing your preferences. You’re making a statement:

“I matter. My needs matter. And I lead best when I’m supported.”

So whether you’re traveling the country like me in a trailer, managing a household of five, or running a million-dollar brand, this small system could unlock big ease and create even more room for whatever your version of success looks like.

This isn’t just about streamlining your errands.

It’s about reclaiming your energy, increasing your capacity, and honoring the fact that you are not meant to carry it all alone.

You don’t have to “earn” this kind of support.

You already have.

So go build your handbook. Document your preferences. Let someone else book the DMV appointment.

Because the more you support you, the more magnetic your business becomes.

For more information about The Magnetic Millionaire Podcast or interest in our services or offers visit our resources below:

Visit our website: magneticprofits.com

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Check out our podcast page: magneticprofits.com/podcast

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