The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The to-do list is how shit gets done. It doesn't matter if you are starting your first business at 17 or make 30 million a year, you still need to wake up and get shit done.
My life makes NO progress unless I'm making lists and crossing it off each day. Period.
Here's how I make my list.
1. Buy one of these or something you prefer. A small notepad.
2. I take it up to bed each night, I sit in low light and dump everything that needs to be done onto the page. No order. I usually have 500 things to do so I only write out the emergencies and any I don't want to forget I put on the next page for the next day.
3. Here's the unique part. Many of these things can only be done during business hours. Some can only be done when I'm out running errands. Some can be done alone on the computer outside of business hours.
I group them by these restrictions. I label ones that need to be done in person with a letter that lets me know which city I'll be doing it in. I label the business hours ones "bh". And I give a star to ones that can be done any time.
Then, at the bottom of the page, I write down something like "3*-2BH-3P-2BH-3*"
This tells me I need to bang out 3 tasks that can be done any time, so I do it early in the morning.
Then, I have to do 2 tasks that can only be done during business hours.
Then, I go run my 3 in-person errands.
Then, I do 2 more business hours tasks.
Finally, I do 3 more any time tasks at night.
I can pick any of them but what matters is they are categorized by their limitations.
Don't do things during business hours if they can be done any time. Don't go do one in person thing and then have to do another later.
This helps me break up my day into bite sized chunks so I don't get messed up trying to do 50 things at once and not doing anything.
4. Finally, don't put dumb shit in there. Don't put trivial stupid easy things on your list. Put the big important things on there and do them.
The to-do list is how shit gets done. It doesn't matter if you are starting your first business at 17 or make 30 million a year, you still need to wake up and get shit done.
My life makes NO progress unless I'm making lists and crossing it off each day. Period.
Here's how I make my list.
1. Buy one of these or something you prefer. A small notepad.
2. I take it up to bed each night, I sit in low light and dump everything that needs to be done onto the page. No order. I usually have 500 things to do so I only write out the emergencies and any I don't want to forget I put on the next page for the next day.
3. Here's the unique part. Many of these things can only be done during business hours. Some can only be done when I'm out running errands. Some can be done alone on the computer outside of business hours.
I group them by these restrictions. I label ones that need to be done in person with a letter that lets me know which city I'll be doing it in. I label the business hours ones "bh". And I give a star to ones that can be done any time.
Then, at the bottom of the page, I write down something like "3*-2BH-3P-2BH-3*"
This tells me I need to bang out 3 tasks that can be done any time, so I do it early in the morning.
Then, I have to do 2 tasks that can only be done during business hours.
Then, I go run my 3 in-person errands.
Then, I do 2 more business hours tasks.
Finally, I do 3 more any time tasks at night.
I can pick any of them but what matters is they are categorized by their limitations.
Don't do things during business hours if they can be done any time. Don't go do one in person thing and then have to do another later.
This helps me break up my day into bite sized chunks so I don't get messed up trying to do 50 things at once and not doing anything.
4. Finally, don't put dumb shit in there. Don't put trivial stupid easy things on your list. Put the big important things on there and do them.
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today
