Throw It Out Thursday ~ We seemed to get so bogged down and overwhelmed by the amount of things we have to do each day. As solo-preneurs or owners of the brick and mortar business we have a lot more on our “get’er done” lists than most. We are responsible for not only every day tasks/projects but we are responsible for the team below us completing theirs, securing revenue, client/customer relations, growing the business, along with all of the household and family stuff too – all of them “todos”!
There was a time when being our own boss was appealing – no one telling us what to do, when to do it, and even how to do it but when all of the weight is on our shoulders we tend to look back and go boy it was easier back then!
We have talked all week about todo lists – getting organized. Trust me as you move into a structure with a plan and organization, you will find what you were looking for when you went into business for yourself.
ToDo Lists should not weigh you down – they should be your structure – your path –
How Long Is Your ToDo List?
your rungs on the ladder!
You should look at your ToDo list as your blueprint for the day. If you manage your business in a manner that you are not spending your days putting out fires but schedule things you have the control over your life and business world you always wanted. The trick is to have a structure, to follow that structure, and to know that every great business man/business woman had structure to building their success – to what level you need is up to you.
Organize those ToDos!
We have talked a lot this week about your todo list and creating a system is a must in business today. We recommend the Tickler File. Once you have your system together, no matter what it is, review your todos. Do you have them prioritized? The key is that you NEVER over commit on your list of todos for the day – you want to schedule out projects and todos in a way that your list can be completed. As you get comfortable in a pattern of working and completing your committed todos you can add onto it slowly to build up completing more and more. BUT remember built into your todo system is a reward time where you acknowledge the great job you are doing and you take time to do something for you as a reward. In our Weekly Productivity Program, we have that on Finish It Friday. We encourage you to set your weekly reward and actually ENJOY it when the time comes!
What to Throw Away on your ToDo List…
Are there items on there that have been on your todo list (on paper or on your mind) since the “beginning of time” and you are still carrying them around? Where did they fall in the prioritizing you did from above? Are they high on the list or lowest on the totem-pole? For those that are lowest, evaluate them… Why have you not done them yet? Do they really matter? Will it make a big difference if you do it or not? If it will make a big difference then I suppose it should not be lowest on your totem-pole, right?
Take that todo and scratch it off – get rid of it – throw it out. You carry a lot of weight keeping things that do not really matter to your business success or growth around. A lot of times todos you have carried for awhile are no longer the “current” thing to do or are really no longer relevant.
By crossing that todo off your list you will find weight lifted from you. A sense of relief! You can always “schedule” to reassess the need for that todo when you have time to focus on it.
Keep your daily/weekly todo lists simple and doable!
Keeping your todo lists “doable” and not over committing allows you to reap the rewards of a day well done. We tend, as business owners, to think we have to do it all TODAY and everything is on our todo list all of the time. This leads to a feeling of failure and overwhelm. Do not make the mistake on taking on too much everyday – being a success is having control over the growth and what you HAVE to complete. Do not let the fact you want it ALL NOW guide you to feelings of frustration. Manage your todo list in a way where you are making progress everyday!
Make your todo list your friend not the dreaded enemy and work with it not against it. Structure does not have to be a bad thing!