Maximize Your To-Do List: Focus on Your Goals

person writing a to do list on a wooden table with a coffee nearby.

Nothing feels quite the same as checking off a task on your to-do list. This list drives our day, quite frankly, but do you know why it was important to do that thing you just did? Are you clear on where you’re headed when you take that step forward? 

Full disclosure - I have added things to my list after I’ve already done them because I love to feel accomplished! It’s like binging a tv show to watch as many episodes as possible in one sitting.

Keep Your Eye on the Goals

Know that tasks and lists are meant to move you forward towards your goals. When implemented correctly your to-do list is an essential part of growth in your business. 

So worrying more about those checkmarks than your actual goals can disconnect you from the intention of the tasks you put on that list. There are many reasons we respond positively to using checklists:

  • To look and feel busy

  • Increase productivity

  • Provides  motivation

  • Being organized

  • Less stress

They are wonderful tools, but when we get familiar with the check list habit, it can become mechanical and robotic. Accomplishing tasks can make you feel good, but you’ll feel even better if each of those tasks puts you one step further in the direction of your goals.

Focused To-Do Lists Are Necessary For Progress

It’s too easy for business owners to become slaves to their to-do list. You are responsible for all the parts of your business - marketing, sales, client service, bookkeeping, learning, (etc). And each one has its own set of tasks. We can get overwhelmed and caught up in checking many things off as quickly as possible. It feels good and we see small wins. But where is it taking us? 

You want to feel like you’re getting ahead as you complete your tasks, not just catching up, or maintaining. Are you moving forward and are you making substantial progress?  Or do you feel you are stuck in the same place.

The Right Amount of Goals For You

I like to have my clients focusing on two or three goals at a time, and I personally use the same system in my own business. Having goals keeps me focused on what I have to do to achieve them, and it creates a structure for me to follow. But just like my business I am responsible for all the details for each goal, and every goal is different. 

My goals can be about creating a new program or collaboration, or making things more efficient like confirming the onboarding process for participants of my group program or setting up a bookkeeping system. 

Or it can be about establishing a new routine, or building a strategy around a sales goal. 

When you do something more regularly it takes less time, keeps you informed, and comfortable doing tasks that don’t fall under your expertise.

Visions and Dreams Are Not The Same

Having that higher level of focus motivates me to get closer to my vision each day. Everything gets a little clearer as I get closer to my target - the income I want to earn, how many hours a week I want to work, flexibility to do that work from a beach house or a European retreat. And once my youngest goes off to college, that vision will become even more real.

Having clear goals, and a mapped out strategy is so important  to achieving your vision. Unless you can have the processes, systems and support, and can actually put the structure and routines in place, that vision is just a dream. There’s nothing wrong with dreams or manifesting, or sending your wishes into the Universe. But sitting and thinking about it doesn’t get you much more than a warm chair. You have to lay it out, choose realistic, doable actions, and have the resources and support.


This December, I’m offering a new planning workshop that will help you do just that - choose goals, create a plan to meet them, schedule the tasks to implement the plan, and help you select the processes and systems to support you as you move forward in your business. Get more details here.

P.S. Ready to stop spinning in place and get to the other side of your goals? Here are several ways I can help:

  1. Download my free weekly planning guide - it will help you become more intentional with your time, develop a clear action plan for your week, and ensure that you are focusing on activities that will move your business forward - Download Now

  2. Join our next CEO Power Planning Session and spend two and a half hours ON your business. During this facilitated workshop, you’ll set and prioritize your next 12-week goals, break them down into an executable action plan and create a resource plan  - Join the Wait List

  3. Apply for the next Close the Gap Program and stay on track to achieve your most important goals. 1:1 support and guidance on prioritizing goals, creating a plan and putting structure and routines in place. Then 12 weeks of group support around execution - Apply today

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Are You Clear On Your Why?