Productivity: What’s On Your List?

I apologize for not posting since July (July? How did THAT happen?). August has been one of my busiest months for traveling and speaking and between keeping the day-to-day of the business running, being a mom, (to a 10 year old out of school for the summer) significant other, and staying consistent with my workouts despite a crazy schedule, it's left little time for things lower on the priority list.

There's a lot of anxiety for me when things don't get checked off the to-do list - especially when that means the list continues to get longer and longer. I know you can relate as we all often times feel like there's too much to do and not enough time to do it.

I have a tendency to check off all the easy things on my list first - they're easy to do, I love seeing those checked boxes, and it feels like I'm being productive. What I must constantly remind myself of is ACTIVITY DOES NOT MEAN PRODUCTIVITY. How strategic am I being with my time and energy? There's only so much to go around, so which activities and people should I ensure get it?

It's critically important for us to be strategic about our to-do lists. Yes, I could pay bills, catch up on invoicing, clean out my email in box, do the dishes, vacuum (why does that always give me such a rush?), update Facebook and have a sense of accomplishment, but what have I done today to develop my business? What have I done today to develop myself?

It's Monday and the start of a new week. I have a challenge for you: take just a few minutes today to strategically identify what 3 CRITICAL things you need to accomplish by the end of week. They could be in your personal life, your professional life, or both. Give them your full and best energy. Move them to the very top of your list, and move the "nice to do" things lower.

I'm going to stop transferring important things forward on my weekly to-do list. I'm going to get them checked off. I'm also going to stop creating "B lists" - completely new and separate daily lists for the really easy things I need to get done, just to have a list crossed off by the end of the day. I'm holding myself accountable and I'll let you know how it goes.

In fact, let me just put that on my list of things to do.....