Your Business Desperately Needs a Weekly “To Do” List – Here’s Why

Being a business owner is a bit like spinning 50 plates in the air at the same time, am I right? Every aspect of your business – be it client work, marketing, admin, or finances – is up to YOU to either get done yourself or delegate. As our businesses grow, it can become easier for small details to fall through the cracks. It’s frustrating when it happens – but what can be done?

Here’s your solution.

A weekly (recurring) to do list for your business will save you from ever forgetting those small but oh-so-important details.

What exactly is a weekly recurring to do list for your business? It’s an ever-evolving list of all those tasks that need to get done on a regular basis to keep your business running smoothly. Checking that invoices are paid? Put it on the list. Reaching out to the people who gave you their business cards? Put it on the list. Setting any necessary alarms for your meetings next week? You guessed it. Put it on the list.

There is no limit to the number of tasks you can include. Putting a task on your list will guarantee it comes to the forefront of your mind each and every week, so it never falls through the cracks.

Ready to go? Let’s do it. Below are your three steps to implementing your own weekly to do list in your business.

Step 1: Create Your Categories + List Items

Here are some category ideas to get you started: Finances, Marketing, Pipe Line, Client Work, Networking, Time Management, and Tax Prep. To give you a sense of what list items might fall under each category, below are some of the items on my own list:

Finances
Create new invoices
Send or schedule invoice reminders
Mark invoices as paid
Pay off business credit cards
Pay me

Marketing
Ask people to join Short & Sweet
Reply to all social media comments
Write issue of Short & Sweet
Blog Post
Schedule social media posts on Buffer

Pipe Line
Add new connections on LinkedIn
Look through new business cards
Set up connection coffees
Reach out to MIA people
Check-in with 2 past client
RSVP to networking events

Client Work
Send client check-ins for stalled projects
Client backend WordPress updates
Update all client project checklists

Time Management
Plan calendar for next week
Set alarms for meetings next week

Tax Prep
Swipe miles in my mile tracker app
Categorize expenses in FreshBooks

Step 2: Pick a Day/Time Each Week to Complete

It might take a little experimentation (which is ok!), but you’ll want to figure out the day and time that works best for you to sit down and complete all the items on your list. Completing your list on the SAME day and time each week will ensure that you can create a habit of doing it consistently. When I first began this practice, I gave myself two hours, but now that I’m in the routine of it, I can often get it all done in just one hour. I’ve opted for Friday mornings myself, but your day and time are completely up to you.

Step 3: Stick to it!

As with any new habit, it’s toughest at the beginning. Don’t let yourself slip! The more you get into the routine of completing your task items every week, the more “on top of things” you will feel and the more peace of mind you’ll have in your business. Knowing that nothing is falling through the cracks truly does allow us to sleep better at night … and doesn’t that sound nice? 🙂