The Simplest Way to Accomplish your Daily Goals

One of the best tools I use for my business is also the simplest. It's cheap, lightweight, uses no electricity or special software. It's widely available and isn't language or region specific. I can even set my coffee cup on this piece of equipment without fear of damage.

It's a spiral notebook. You may have heard about them.

I use my notebook every day for a very special purpose. I make My List. Many people have their various lists; the laundry list, grocery list, task list, the honey-do. You've probably used some of these lists at one time or another. My List isn't so crazily different from these, but I have a certain way I've been utilizing My List for years and I swear by it. Some times I swear over it, but that's for another day.

Every morning, I create a list of the things I need to accomplish that day. Simple, right? Sure, it's a task list, but it's much more than that. As simple as it sounds, it's something very powerful that guides my actions and helps me accomplish my longer-term goals, one day at a time. In addition to guiding my daily actions, it's a wonderful tool for looking back and feeling you're actually doing something constructive with your days. This is especially important for the self-employed, who often have no one to pat them on the back.

The daily items for My List are culled from the collection of things I want to accomplish in the year, month, and week. It's absolutely essential that I've decided what those broader tasks and goals are before creating My List. Deciding what goes on the list is a highly individual process. It could be an errand like, “Pick up laundry” or a goal such as, “Make forty-five sales calls.”

Here's how to go about it:

1. Start with a fresh, clean page. Hey, it's a new day, why not start fresh?
   
   
2. Write the day and date on the top. This helps down the road when you want to look back at your old lists to look for information or just review past accomplishments. Pat, pat.
   
   
3. Write each item on a new line. I usually leave an empty line between each, in case I want to take notes later.
   
   
4. As you complete an item, draw a line through it. Don't scribble it out, because you may need the information later. I know people who use The List and mark each item with a check. Hey, whatever makes you happy and works.

I also have three personal set-in-stone, no-break-um rules for My List:

1. It should be challenging, yet realistic. I need to push myself, but I don't need to stress myself out unnecessarily.
   
   
2. Cross off each item as it's completed and not before. Hey, no cheating!
   
   
3. If one of the items is to call someone, I write the person's full name and phone number on the list. That keeps me from procrastinating because I have to hunt for a number.

At the end of the day, there are sometimes list items that didn't get completed (gasp!). Rather than beat myself up over those items, I use the opportunity to take stock in my goals and accomplishments. It's possible that I over-listed myself for the day, perhaps I was unrealistic given my time. Maybe a client meeting went over, pushing everything out an hour. It happens. It's important to stay flexible. Learn from it!

So, if there are items I haven't been able to cross off, I flip the page and start my next day's list with those items. Simple. Again, it's a highly individual process. Some people write their lists in order of priority and others as things occur to them. I usually do the latter, because if I try to organize my list by priorities it will take way too long for me to actually get going.

Another thing I've found is that if I try to work My List in a computer it's not as effective. I'm not always in front of my computer. Also, I can throw my spiral notebook under my arm and still carry my coffee and bagel to a meeting. Very important. Somehow the tangibility of a handwritten list in a notebook helps me stay on track.

It's also great for doodling.

I've found that using My List on a consistent basis significantly increases my productivity. I know what I need to accomplish throughout the day and I'm not easily steered off track. As a freelancer, it's a crucial part of my business. Working alone and at home I am solely responsible for structuring my day and making sure it's about building my business. My List helps me do that.

Speaking of which.... Write List Article. Check.