I like lists. They keep me organized, focused, and productive. I use them every day.
Take a gander at this list of lists, to see if there are any you might want to add to your productivity toolkit.
- Current Projects. Everything you’re working on (or should be). Having these in one place will keep you from neglecting anything and see if you’ve got too much on your plate and need to offload something.
- Next Projects. What do you intend to work on once you’ve completed your current projects? This will help you prepare for those projects, e.g., write down ideas, research, etc., so you can start them without delay.
- Ongoing & Recurring Projects. Other projects or responsibilities, e.g., updating your website, networking activities, content creation, client relations activities, your newsletter, preparing reports, etc.
- To Do This Week. 3-5 important projects to focus on in the next week to ten days.
- To Do Today. Look at your “this week” list, your calendar, your project lists, and elsewhere, and choose 3-5 “MITs” (Most Important Tasks) for the day.
- Routines. Checklists of weekly or daily tasks for tidying up, organizing, and planning your work. Examples: weekly review, inbox zero, cleaning up computer files, paying bills, morning and afternoon “startup” and “shut down” routines.
- Goals & Dreams. Monthly, quarterly, and annual benchmarks. Long-term goals or vision.
- Someday/Maybes. Ideas you’re considering but aren’t yet committed to doing.
- What’s Working Now. Questions that prompt you to reflect on what’s working well so you can do more of them.
- What’s Not Working Now. Questions that help identify problems, bottlenecks, and poor ROI, so you can eliminate, curtail, delegate, or fix them.
- Budget. Track income and expenses to reduce debt, increase profits, manage investments, etc.
- Remember. Ideas, quotes, or accomplishments you want to keep in front of you, to stay motivated, focused, and on message.
Do you use any lists that aren’t on this list?
My Evernote for Lawyers ebook
