To-do Lists for More Productivity

I use to-do lists to run my business. It is an easy way to keep track of progress on projects. Crossing off items one by one gives a visual assessment of what you have done. Crossing off item after item builds momentum.

I use three different lists to run my business. I have a list of things that I must take care of every month, every week, and a list of things to take care of today. When I am done with my to-do list for today, I am done working.

Monthly to do list
1. Analyze timesheets for billable efficiency (the percentage of hours worked that are billable - hopefully over 60%), time spent on marketing, and to make sure I am on budget.

2. Look at the analytics of the websites I run to figure out where traffic comes from and how to generate more of it.

3. I scrutinize my finances to make sure that I am on track with my projections.

4. Add completed projects to portfolio.

5. Set goals for next month.

Weekly to do list
1. Generate at least one new client

2. Finish three tutorials - one Photoshop, one Illustrator and one code related

3. Add at least one image I can sell to my stock photo account

4. Write an article for richardbeu.com

5. Update richardbeu.com at least three times.

Daily to do list
I split my daily to-do list into A, B and C priority items. A is the highest priority and C is the lowest priority. If I don't get to a C item, the next day it becomes a B item. If I don't get to a B item, it becomes an A item.

I finish all A items before moving on to B items and so on. This is what my daily to-do list looks like today.

A
Work on (client) home page design
Email (client) the home page design
Call (client) and discuss home page design
Work on revisions to home page design
Start setting up CMS for (client)
Call (potential client) about starting project
B
Deposit check
Write Article for richardbeu.com about to do lists
Post Article about to do lists
Change text sizes on (client) website

C
Take Pictures for Stock Photography Website
Take Pictures for Found Type Series

I've already got my A items finished and I'm well on my way to having a nice productive day.

Pencil and Paper
I recommend using pencil and paper for this system. Writing down your list is faster and easier than using an application. You don't have to open the program and find the folder the file is located in. You don't have to learn any software.

Using pencil and paper also allows you to take a break from the screen.

Your hand writing will get better.

It will give you an excuse to use that pencil sharpener that has been gathering dust.