Create a List of Five “Daily Musts”

There should never be a moment during your working time when you don’t know what to do.  To avoid this situation, here is a simple little technique.  Create a list of five things you must do every day.  The idea is that as long as you get these five items checked off, you have successfully moved closer to reaching your goals.

Interact with your current community (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc, return emails)

Prospect to find customers (both online and at events in your area)

Prospect to build your list (contact people to joint venture with)

Create content (blog, create freemiums, write an ebook or report)

Increase your expertise (study your passion and learn more about marketing)

What are your five daily musts?

About the Author

Alan Miles - August 18, 2012

I couldn’t think of a better list, Julia. What I might then do is create a word-cloud – using all the ideas here – and pin it to the wall in front of me … like the one I showed in my last HROomph post – ‘How to be a star – and make one’,
Alan Miles recently posted…How to be a star – and make oneMy Profile

    Julia - August 18, 2012

    I’m glad you like the list, it’s included in my new program set to come out later this year. I love that star you made and as soon as I’m able to connect, I’m going to make cover art for my new e-book. I love all these new toys. I can’t wait to get back to normal with this computer.

Cathy - August 18, 2012

Great list to build with! Not overwhelming and lots to keep you busy with. I may print this one and leave it close by.
Cathy recently posted…Back to School With More Nutritious Food …Finally!My Profile

    Julia - August 18, 2012

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment Cathy. As soon as my internet issues are cleared, I’ll stop by and read your posts as well. I love lists, I use them every day.

Nanette Levin - August 18, 2012

This is an interesting approach, Julia. These top fives are certainly important activities to focus on during each month. I tend to think a little differently than most I suppose, so the most important item on my ‘musts’ (admittedly I don’t always do this daily, but should) is planning. I tend to start with the big picture and work backwards to flesh out the tasks needed to get there. Exercise is huge too. It’s amazing how much you can energize your mind by revving up your body.
Nanette Levin recently posted…Humility helps with marketing strategiesMy Profile

    Julia - August 18, 2012

    Thank you for your comments Nanette. Exercise is something I don’t get a lot of right now and I must add to that very soon. I’ve gotten back to meditating which I find helpful. I also look at the bigger picture and work backwards. I use lists and mindmapping which I love to play with. I’m not that big a planner though Nanette. I’m more spontaneous. I haven’t planned any of the blogs posts, I just sat down and asked myself what I had to say at that moment and I wrote it.

    As soon as my internet situation is normal again, I’ll catch up on your posts.

Leanne Chesser - August 18, 2012

Excellent strategy . . . and one that I teach too, for managing your time, creating balance and getting more done. I even suggest a list of 3, depending on your situation. And I think it’s good to plan it the night before. I like your list. It’s sort of like a template for every day and you can do something specific within each of those categories.
Leanne Chesser recently posted…7 Little-Known Reasons Why You Might Have Time Management IssuesMy Profile

    Julia - August 19, 2012

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment Leanne. Breaking the day into a short list of must do’s makes it easier to get through the day. It is like a template and you can then make a to do list for each category. It makes it less overwhelming that way and easier to stay on task.

    I’m interested in reading your story and as soon as I can get on the Web, I’ll stop by your site.

Amy Putkonen - August 19, 2012

Hi Julia,

This is a great list. I think a business owner should always be looking forward. Hope your computer issues end soon!
Amy Putkonen recently posted…52 – The Eternal PracticeMy Profile

    Julia - August 19, 2012

    Hi Amy. I hope to be back on line by Tuesday, Wednesday at the latest. Until then, the router will bring me to my dashboard and let me download my email only for about 30-45 minutes in the morning, then nothing much for the rest of the day.

    I agree that we should always be looking forward. Must do’s and lists are an excellent tool for staying focused.

Kama - August 19, 2012

Great list, I love the thought of creating a list of 5 musts! Not overwhelming and possible to surpass 🙂
Kama recently posted…Comment on 10 Valuable Confidence Tips – V (A-Z of Confidence) by KamaMy Profile

    Julia - August 19, 2012

    I love lists Kama. Actually, I need lists. They keep me from becoming overwhelmed or stressed about what I may have forgotten.

    I’m having connectivity issues right now which I hope will be fixed by Wednesday the latest. When I’m back on line I’ll stop by and ready your posts that I’ve missed. Thank you stopping by and leaving your comment.

Emily - August 21, 2012

Fantastic list. It’s a great start pointing for anyone to create their own list. By only putting five things on it, it makes it more manageable and far easier to exceed. For me, I would add some time for yoga or meditation near the beginning of the day, because it helps me focus and I am more likely to complete everything else I want to in the day.
Emily recently posted…Day 14 Blogging Olympics Dressing Up My BlogMy Profile

    Julia - August 21, 2012

    Yoga or meditation is a great morning routine Emily. I meditate at night because it helps me sleep better. And limiting the list to five items does make the day more manageable. Thank you for commenting.

Lena - August 21, 2012

Hi Julia,
Great list, I always have a list of 3 main things to do each day and I loved your ideas.
Thanks
Lena recently posted…How to Exercise Every Week and Love ItMy Profile

    Julia - August 21, 2012

    Three is a good number Lena as long as it includes everything that needs to be done each day. I often have a longer to do list within the five categories I listed. Really, it’s whatever works for you.

    Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment.

Kim (Mirror Moon Tarot and Coaching) - August 21, 2012

Wow, this is an incredible way to break everything down and summarize it. When there are so many options and things to do, it’s hard to know what will make progress. But this helps to show you how to keep moving forward and WHY it works. Loving it! I’m going to keep this list in mind every day.
Kim (Mirror Moon Tarot and Coaching) recently posted…It’s finally heeeere!My Profile

    Julia - August 22, 2012

    That’s great Kim, I’m really happy that you are going to use the list. I find it makes it easier to stay on track. Thank you for your comments.

Amethyst Mahoney - August 21, 2012

Great post. I always have a list of “musts” for my day. I have also found it very helpful to put a time limit on them, especially some of the social media sites. I am trying to limit my Facebook and Twitter time, especially, and have 2 to 3 periods during the day when I check them.

    Julia - August 22, 2012

    Great point Amethyst. I also need to limit my time on social media. I’ve been spending more time lately because of the blog challenges, but that’s been worth every minute as I have learned so much. When the challenges are over, I’ll be here less as well. Thank you for making that point and leaving your comment.

The Great Gordino - August 24, 2012

‘Must do’ lists are great! I would say that social sites have allowed us to use the accountability of groups to move forward on this, either with content generation, or completion of early internet marketing tasks! Great reminder! Cheers, Gordon

    Julia - August 24, 2012

    Thank you for your comment Gordon. I agree about social sites being good accountability groups. I have been building a sizeable network on line that keeps me going, providing support, suggestions, resources and accountability.

Mary Muse - August 24, 2012

Oh what a superb list. My daily “musts” include taking time out for me and also doing something, even if it’s watching TV shows or reading in the same room with my partner. We both can get so involved in our own work that it’s good to simply “be” together. 🙂

Loved the reminder to prospect and look for JVs.
Mary Muse recently posted…Different Genres, Different Muses?My Profile

    Julia - August 24, 2012

    Thank you for reading and leaving your comment Mary. I love lists. Taking time out for yourself and your loved ones is always important and I agree it should be a must do for everyone.

Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. - August 24, 2012

Love those five- my sixth- make sure you are paid… so that you can do the same tomorrow!
Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. recently posted…The computer made me do it?My Profile

    Julia - August 24, 2012

    Great point Roy! Thank you for making it here.

shivie - August 25, 2012

Love lists like this, it is easy to get caught up in “doing” and not get done what needs to be done. One of the filters we are using for the list is to determine what kind of activity it is. this was given to us by Business Coach David Asarnow and that is to split the list into MWAs (minimum wage activities) and RGA’s (revenue generating activities) because it is all too easy to get swamped with MWAs and not get to the RGAs.

And yes I would have something for my health on the list everyday, be it yoga, meditation, physical activity…we have all our clients include at least one self care activity a day, sometimes small, sometimes big, but always something. If we don’t care for ourselves we cannot care for others

    Julia - August 25, 2012

    Thank you for your comments Shivie. I think that’s a great suggestion to split the list into RGA’s and MWA’s. I meditate for self-care because if we don’t care for ourselves, who else will?

Nicki Sanders - September 21, 2012

This is a great list Julia. Easy to remember and equally as easy to implement. I am adding “prospect to build your list” and “prospect to find customers” to tomorrow’s list. Thank you.
Nicki Sanders recently posted…Do You Remember These?My Profile

    Julia - September 21, 2012

    I’m so glad you were inspired to add to your own list. Thank you for telling me that Nicki.

Comments are closed