As I wait patiently, for my doctor to give me the all clear to go back to work, I’ve been writing down some amazing to-do lists.
To-do lists are the backbone of my productivity as an entrepreneur working from home. They are my secret weapon for staying organized and keeping overwhelm at bay. For me, they’re not just a tool, they are a mindset – a way to navigate the countless tasks that come with running a business and balancing life’s demands.
I believe a good to-do list provides structure, and reminds me that even the busiest day can be managed with the right approach.
THE POWER OF TO-DO LISTS: My to-do list is my memory bank, my accountability partner, and my productivity coach all rolled into one. It ensures I never forget those important tasks like a client meeting, a launch plan, or simply remembering to send out an email.
My to-do list helps me prioritize exactly what needs to get done next. When I look at my to-do list, I can see at a glance
- What needs my attention now!
- What can wait.
- What might not need to be done at all.
It gives me a sense of clarity when I see everything laid out. It’s like decluttering your brain. Instead of juggling tasks in my head and forgetting something, it helps me focus. With a written to-do list, I feel calmer, clearer and ready to tackle the day.
HOW I STRUCTURE MY TO-DO LISTS.
MY MASTER TO-DO LIST. As you might have guessed, I don’t have one to-do list. I have a system that keeps me productive throughout the year. It all starts with my MASTER TO-DO LIST for the year. This is
where I write down my big goals and projects. This isn’t just a wish list, it’s a strategy. By mapping out what I want to achieve for the year l, I create a foundation for success.
MY MONTHLY TO-DO LIST. I take my big goals and identify actionable steps I can focus on during the month. I follow my 90-day goals playbook system so I know the exact tasks I need to take to achieve the goals I’m working on for that month.
One of my goals on the list this year is to grow my YOUTUBE channel, so my monthly list looks like this.
- Plan content ideas
- Record videos
- Schedule interviews for my series on “Entrepreneurs who work from home.”
- Script bullet points
- Create thumbnails
MY DAILY TO-DO LIST. My Daily to-do list lives in my ONE NOTEBOOK JOURNAL SYSTEM. This is where the magic happens. Each day, I write down 3-5 key tasks that align with my goals. Keeping this list short helps me focus on what’s truly important instead of getting lost in busywork.
WHY ENTREPRENEURS NEED TO-DO LISTS
As entrepreneurs, we wear so many hats. One minute we’re brainstorming creative ideas and the next we’re managing meetings with clients. It’s easy to get distracted or feel like you’re spinning your wheels.
HAVING A TO-DO LIST SIMPLIFIES THINGS.
It’s about creating a road map for you day, week or month. When you write down a task, you are taking the first step toward completing it. That’s Powerful! To-do lists are essential for entrepreneurs because they
- Help you remember what’s important and to never forget an important task or deadline.
- Keep you on track and focused.
- Shows progress when you check off a completed task
- Frees your mind instead of holding everything in your head.
INSPIRATION FROM OTHER ENTREPRENEURS
In my recent interview with Dawn & Matt Sadler, Dawn shared how she uses time blocking and to-do lists to stay productive. Her method is all about identifying priorities and creating focused blocks of time to tackle them. Check out the full interview here and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for more insights and strategies from other entrepreneurs.
STAYING IN CONTROL: As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that feeling in control is crucial. When you’re running your own business – especially from home – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and a to-do list can give you that sense of control.
It’s not about doing everything at once, it’s about knowing what to do NEXT!
When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to my list. I review it, cross out things that no longer matter and prioritize the tasks that will make the biggest impact.
A TO-DO LIST IS A TOOL YOU CAN’T OVERLOOK: Using your to-do list as a tool to stay organized, focused and intentional about how you spend your time in running a business. Whether you’re mapping out your month, breaking down your goals into action steps and tasks or tackling your priorities, having a list to rely on is invaluable.
Lastly, I love to review my to-do list at the end of each day and week and take a moment to celebrate my accomplishments. Did I sent out that email, I’d been procrastinating on? Did I finish my next Youtube video? Even tidying my workspace goes on the list. It gives me a chance to learn what worked well and adjust my approach for the next day.
I’d love to know how much you rely on YOUR to-do list and how it transforms your day. Comment below and share with me how important it is to you to write a to-do list.
