Getting outstanding business results requires organisation. Not necessarily the cleaning-up-your-desk kind (although that can’t hurt, either 
, but organisation within yourself that will help you to better manage your business and the great results you will achieve.
What’s one of the first things that come to mind when you think of organising your business? Chances are, it’s your to-do list. It doesn’t matter whether you keep your list on a Blackberry, on an iPhone, on your laptop, or on good old-fashioned paper, the point is that you have one. Maybe you even just keep it in your head. For business owners, lists in one form or another are virtually inescapable.
How do you feel when you think about your to-do list? I’m guessing that excitement and motivation are not your top answers. If anything, a to-do list stirs up quite the opposite feelings. It reminds you of just how many things you need to accomplish, and makes you feel the pressure of having enough time to get through them all.
It’s time to change all that, and there is a very easy way to start.
It’s time to rename your list. Stop calling it your to-do list. Stop giving it the power to intimidate you by reminding you of all the tasks that you have to complete. Really, how motivating is it to look at a list called “to-do?” It isn’t at all inspiring.
Fortunately, there is a way to transform that list into something that will inspire and motivate you. Right now, begin to view it as representative of all the activities that you want to accomplish in order to make your goals a reality. Think of it as mini-goals that will lead you to your desired result.
When you start to see it not as a list of what you must do, but as what you want to do, the list will take on an entirely new meaning. It will become the tool that will help you to achieve your business vision by leading you through the steps and actions along the path to your success.
Once you reverse your thinking and adopt a positive attitude about your list, you will be more eager to accomplish each task. Instead of looking at each item as an individual chore, look at it as part of the whole picture.
For example, if you need to create a new sales letter, don’t just see that as a stand-alone task. Concentrate on the fact that the new letter will enable you to earn increased revenue because you accomplished that task.
It’s a very rewarding feeling to cross something off your list once it’s done. Right now, cross off the word “to-do,” because you are done with that mindset. Replace it with “My Goals” or “My Actions”, these 2 words that are sure to inspire you to action.
Until next time!
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To your Mountain Moving Mindset!
__________________
Frederique Murphy
Simply Transformed
Tags: business, coaching, frederique murphy, inspiration, life, mentoring, mindset, motivation, mountain moving mindset, results, success, transformation
You hit the nail on the head and it just never ceases to amaze me the observations that you make are real world stuff. Yeah, when I open my e63 Nokia to check my to do list I do it with trepidation & each task that I tick as completed restores my confidence. Will give the mindset you suggest a go, I,m sure it will work.
Thanks again Frederique & God bless
Hi Themba,
Thank you for your comment.
And, thank you SO much for your feedback
I really believe in walking the talk and everything that I share with you, I first did it myself.
Definitely, give it a go, next thing, you know, you will be confidently opening your Action List!
Have a productive week,
Frederique
Hi Frederique,
I LOVE making lists and absolutely hate forgetting things.
The thing about lists are that when its there in black and white, it does make you feel pressured to do it.
You are right though, what a feeling when you get to cross it off and see what you’ve achieved.
Good stuff!
Tina
Hi Tina,
Thank you for your comment.
And, I see we are like two peas in a pod when it comes to our lists!
I LOVE my lists too; I don’t use them however to “make me feel pressured”, but to help me organise and plan myself.
The whole mindset shift is to stop using the “to do” terms which are not motivated nor inspiring and to realise that our lists are tools to help us achieve and live the life and run the business we are dreaming of!
Have a productive week,
Frederique
Hi Frederique. I heard you mention this before and it has helped me deal with my “to do” list. I now don’t worry about opening my “to achieve” list and each that I tick off means I’ve achieved rather than just done
Thanks again
Sian
Hi Sián,
Thank you for your comment.
And, WOW, I am delighted that one of the shifts I shared back in February during one of my free calls, which you attended, has made such an impact; I appreciate your feedback.
Every shift I share has made an impact on me, but it is always nice to hear when someone else is sharing that it works too!
Have a wonderful week, achieving more and more,
Frederique
Frederique,
Why is it that I was drawn to your post from your Tweet? I’m having to fall in love with making lists, something I haven’t done very well in my past.
Lists is an area I’m actively trying to improve upon. Everyday I strive to infuse more discipline and commitment to plan and organize myself better. Little by little, I’m getting there and your suggestion is another step in the right direction. THANK YOU!
All the best,
- Ana
PS – Carrie Wilkerson is what connected us – thank goodness.
Ana,
Thanks for your comment.
I am glad we are now connected (and a thank you to Carrie Wilkerson!)
You are right, one step at a time and one shift at a time!
All the best,
Frederique
Isn’t it funny how something so simple can make such a difference?
When I had major baby brain in those early days of new motherhood, I carried a small notepad in my back pocket so that I could write down the things I needed to remember whenever they came to me (usually when feeding, on the loo or taking baby for a walk). That was my Sanity List!
Great post
Hi Grace,
Thanks for your comment, and tweets!
I always say it, one shift is all it takes to make a difference, and the size of the shift does not matter
Thanks for sharing your previous experience; here again, I am sure you could have renamed it differently, you might do as of today!
I like the idea of the notepad, I carry a notepad with me almost everywhere.
To embracing the shifts making a difference to our lifes and businesses,
Frederique
Great comments and conversations on Twitter:
Frederique,
Love your idea about simply changing words to change your focus into a positive one! A different POV is sometimes all we need to be motivated & inspire action. I gave up lists when I began imagining them as a weight over me. I rebelled as children do against parents who want them to do something they might actually enjoy, but won’t, just because their parents “order” them to do it. Funny how your mind can get hung up on a trivial notion…& how remarkably easy it can be to switch gears.
Hi Renée,
Thanks for your comment, and tweets!
You are right, change is easy and one shift is all you need to switch gears!!
To your Mountain Moving Mindset,
Frederique