I’ve been thinking and writing quite a bit about productivity lately. I’ve provided advice on how to find the productivity leaks in your life and your business.
In a guest post at Mavis Nong’s Attraction Marketing Online, I gave her readers 25 Ways to Double Your Productivity This Week.
Both posts were very popular and generated a lot of discussion.
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That tells me that PRODUCTIVITY is something that many people are concerned about, and that’s a really good thing. Because if you’re going to be a successful Part Time Marketer, you need to be super productive with your limited time.
Lists We’ve Come to Know and Love
Many of us use lists of one kind or another in our business or personal life every single day. In fact, in many ways we judge our daily success by how well we complete our lists.
Here are a few lists that we all use:
1. The Shopping List
I don’t know about you, but if I go shopping without a list I forget something every time. Rosemary knows better than to send me to the market without a shopping list.
2. The “Honey Do” List
This one usually makes husbands and wives cringe — the dreaded “honey do” list. You know, the list your wife (or husband) leaves you when you’re on vacation, since you finally have some time to get things done around the house? Like the shopping list, the honey do list will likely live on to eternity.
3. The “To Do” List
Then there’s the famous “To Do list.
As a person who studies Productivity and it’s many forms, including the continuous battle of Perfection vs. Productivity, I love a great “To Do” list.
I’ve written a lot about how to construct an effective To Do list, with the most important tasks at the top. You know, the ones that will have the biggest impact on your business.
And how it’s a great idea to create your To Do list the night before, as the great Mike Dillard does.
There’s no doubt, a To Do list, properly done will help you to be more productive.
There’s a New List in Town
We’ve been listening to an audio recording of The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olson during our commute to work this week. By the way, it’s an unbelievable book and on my “Must Read” list.
Anyway, one of the things Jeff discusses is the creation of a “Things I Did” list at the end of each day.
I’ve changed it a bit to call it my “Things I Accomplished Today” list.
What you call it doesn’t really matter, the point is the same.
Having a To Do list of things you need to accomplish is great, but can lead to guilt and feelings of inadequacy if you don’t get done what you believe you should have.
But by making a list of things you accomplish each day, you turn the focus on your successes.
It can make a world of difference in how your perceive your progress in your business.
But it’s more than that.
The Many Uses of a “Things I Accomplished List”
Think for a minute how many ways this kind of a list can change the way you view your life.
I’ve been experimenting with my own Accomplishments list lately.
Here is my list for today, and it’s not finished yet:
- I wrote an excellent blog post today.
- I visited and commented on 3 of my favorite blogs today.
- I spoke with my collaborator about a talk I’m giving at a conference.
- I arranged my first session with a Life Coach.
- I told my wife I loved her.
- I bought bagels for my coworkers.
- I exercised 45 minutes
- I ate healthy today.
- I sat with my son and really listened to him today.
You see, not only will a Daily Accomplishment list propel your business forward, giving you positive feedback as you prepare for the next day…. but this list will also help you in your quest to improve your life.
Look at my list again!
What do you notice?
Sure, there are things I accomplished for my business, but I also included important aspects of my personal life as I strive for balance and purpose in my life.
Simple things like telling my wife I love her and taking the time to listen to my child provides the positive balance in my life that I seek. Eating healthy and exercising were part of my day.
These are all important aspects of my own personal philosophy and it’s great to see the evidence of my progress on my What I Accomplished Today List.
As I look at my list, I am filled with pride, and determination to continue my progress tomorrow.
Do you see how powerful this is?
Your Turn
Have you ever tried a Daily Accomplishments List? What have been your experiences? If not, what do you think of the idea?
Leave a Comment and Join in the Discussion.
25 replies to "Have You Heard? – There’s a New List in Town!"
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Thanks for the kind words, Sally!
[…] a previous post, I wrote about the benefits of creating 2 lists for your business — one a “To Do” list and another “What I Accomplished” list. Head […]
What a wonderful idea! I feel like I’m married to my “To-Do” list, and you’re right — it’s always discouraging at the end of the day to see what hasn’t been done. But this new list would serve to put a positive spin on things, and be a kind of “checks-and-balances” toward being balanced in all areas of life. I’m so glad I read this post — I’m going to do it!
Hi Bob, I think it is a great idea!!! I think too often we look at a list we made for ourselves and feel like we didn’t get anything done. Life has interruptions and sometimes it happens that way. But we shouldn’t beat ourselves or feel guilty. Making that Accomplishment list turns it to the positive right away. What ever the interruption we had that took us away from our original list, must be important and have some value.
I enjoyed your post, because making lists and clarifying them has been keenly interesting to me lately.
Have a great week and I keep making that Accomplishment list!
Lynn
Hi Bob
Very Nice article. Though these are basic things that everyone is supposed to know and follow but its these that we so often miss or neglect and that’s what, i suppose, differentiates a good person from a great one! Thank you for this lovely piece of information.
Hi, Dr Bob,
a Daily Accomplishment List is like a short form of a diary-just the short notice of the things that happened, and not just any things-they are selective and positive. I made such lists a few times when I felt they would encourage me and give more stamina and motivation to continue on through the busy schedule.
As far as other lists are concerned, I also share your opinion that if we do not take a Shopping List with us, we are most likely to forget to buy something…and usually that something is the most relevant thing that should be a priority for us when deciding to go shopping. It’s funny the way how our mind can work…
I think it’s similar to a diary and journaling, Kristina. I find that accentuating the positive — what you got done — does better for me than a half finished To Do list. But both are important.
As for a shopping list, yeah – Rosemary never let’s me leave home without it. She knows I will end up bringing home a lot of what we don’t really need! 🙂
Bob,
Jeff’s books is awesome!
Not only does this list tell you what you have accomplished, but it also gives you self confidence, when you know that you have been productive.
Also, this kind of list is important for showing gratitude and appreciation. Like, saying kind words to your wife or having a chat with your son.
I think that gratitude is something we take granted. However, once we start using a list like this, we understand the greatness that is around us every day – and learn to appreciate it!
Well said, Timo. I find that any time I can promote the positive in anything I do, it is much more powerful to my progress.
Thanks for your insights here, Timo!
Bob,
I love it! I’m a MAJOR list fan and I do it every day.
There’s always something that needs to be done (personally and in business).
Its a great habit to make sure you do at least one thing in both. BTW, great list of accomplishments!
-Dereck
Thanks, Dereck! This list has me rejuvenated. I got tired of never completing my To Do list, so this is a great alternative.
Thanks for your comment here, Dereck!
Hey Bob, a few other very successful people worth noting that use this same principle of a success list at the end of the day are Darren Hardy (Publisher of Success Magazine) that he discusses in his book The Compound Factor and Bill Philips of Body For Life. Bill Philips calls his a “Win List” and chooses just the 5 most important things he wants to focus on for the day that will have the greatest impact on his life. At the end of the day, he reviews those 5 things to see how he did. He then writes WIN next to each item he accomplishes at day end. Just goes to show the power in such a list as you point out as both of these individuals are very successful mulch-millionaires in their own right. Must be important!
I will have to check out Bill Philips blog.
I have not yet read Darren’s book, Hans. Have you read it? Any insights?
That’s a great idea. I always have a to do list but I now think a things accomplished list is something I should do.
Glad you like the idea, Melodie. Let us know how it goes!
Bob,
this is a smart subject matter that allot of people say yes to. Yet, as time goes by the return to the old maybe I will write a to do list today. This is a key task which must become part of one’s lifestyle if they ever wish to improve activity.
We spend to much time on useless things. The one’s that count would be moving your live in the right direction you want it to. Spend more time on active activity, such as communicating with your team. Supporting those who lack total confidence in your business. Building real relationships bonded on trust. Learning everyday of our industry. There are so many active activities that one can get overwhelmed. Just stick with what is in your weekly goals.
With the proper team support. You will master making the correct decisions on what needs to be done today. What can be leverage with members of your team and so on.
Bob fantastic insight. I really enjoyed and learned from this post. I look forward to your next amazing subject. Thanks for being a great mentor and visionary in our industry.
Great insights, William.. thanks for adding to the conversation. Seems you have a lot of experience at being a great team leader!
Hi Bob,
Another great post helping people stay focused.
Onto your lists:
I do have a to do list that i add to throughout the day for the next day or for a later time (things like ideas generated as I make my way around blogs etc). I find the later date one really good as it gives me loads of ideas for future posts etc.
Only 2 weeks ago I started a journal where I note all of my online activities and the time spent doing them. Adding the times has helped me realise that some things take to long and stop me doing other things that i really should get ticked off my to do list.
A tip I got from Sally neill last week was helpful and has worked great for me since starting to use it.
The tip was: Do what needs doing first. Simple and effective Bob
I voted in your survey, which is kind of a coincidence as I’ve just put a challenge together for bloggers to start adding video to their blogs.
Video is hot so I’m hoping to help people get started using them, especially as there’s free software available to help them get started.
Thank Bob, catch up again soon
Barry
Bob,
I love the idea of the “New List” the concept of success and accomplishment. I’m also reading The Slight Edge again and adding it to my must read list. So many times we get caught up in what we have to do in life… if we simply shift into what we’ve done, we’ll start looking forward to adding more to that list than any other.
Ken Pickard
The Network Dad
I love the concept of this new list! I think I’m going to start doing this immediately. I think a list like this is important because it helps you keep things in proper perspective and see if you’re accomplishing all the things you set out to do with your daily to-do list.
Thanks for the tip!
I love this! The power of being positive is unbelievable. Have you ever heard of the experiment with rice and labeling the jars with love and hate? I don’t know if that story is true, but it’s a really powerful implication that our mindset and the perspective in which we decide to view life makes all the difference in the world.
Hey Karen, no I have not heard about the rice and jar experiment. Can you share it here?
Hi Bob!
Yes, I’ve done this a lot.That’s pretty much how I write my journal. It’s so fun to see the entry for the night before, how full of anticipation and plans I am. Then 24 hr. later I see the evolution of a new day and how it ended up. Sometimes I get caught up in seeing the goals unrealized. Other times I’m amazed at how life twists and turns and brings you to a better place than you’d planned. Either way I’m in awe of how much we all actually DO in a day. It’s such a better perspective to have. It’s one way of training yourself to be a positive and open thinker.
Thanks!
This got me thinking!!
Betsy
Journaling is a great way to keep track of your progress. Yes, its fun and informative to look back at your previous day, week, or year to watch your progress… or see trends where you can improve.
Congrats on your efforts, Betsy!