ROUGH DRAFT - inspired by the Coronavirus.
Have some unexpected Free Time? Want to get something done on your business, but not sure what to do? No problem! Read on to see a Master List of ways to work on your business, plus some strategies below.
Why do I need a list you ask? Because…once you sit down to ponder the free time, and what to do, it’s easy to draw a blank or get distracted. Next challenge, once you do start thinking, it can be overwhelming. “I need to update my website, order business cards, work on bookkeeping…which one do I do?”. This brings up one of our biggest enemies, Decision Fatigue,…we don’t know which to choose, so we go back to Facebook, email, or wondering around aimlessly. All of those are fine, except when we’re trying to make progress on something.
Free time is your opportunity to work on things that are Important but not critical. These important tasks are the keys to making your future life easier.
Below is a big list. First, here are my suggestions for working with it.
Jar
Print out the PDF version of the list. Cut out the options. Throw away the ones you don’t like. Put the ones you like in a jar. When you have free time, pull out a slip of paper. If it sounds helpful, doable in the moment, get to work. Don’t like it? Pull out another. Keep repeating until you do.
Top Ten List
Pick ten of these tasks. Put on a list. Each time you have some unexpected time, look at the list. Pick the easiest one.
Two-DO List
Look at the list. Pick two tasks. Write somewhere visible. On post-its on computer, on calendar, on your fridge. Whenever you’ve got time, work on one of them. When you have time again, work on the other. Repeat.
Roll some Dice
Use an online dice roller. Or, find 3 - 5 dice. Roll one die to determine how may dice to roll. Now, roll the dice, pick the item on the list with that number. Do that task. Don’t like it? Go again. Still don’t like it? Look over the list and pick one.
Current Master List - A work in progress.
1 - Review your website.
Just read everything first. Go back through, make a few changes as you go. If needed, make a list of future updates and changes.
2 - Update pictures.
Upload new ones, or make appointment in the future with photographer.
3 - Get a head start on taxes.
If you’re not sure what to do, read this post: How to Prep for IRS Taxes
4 - Do some business analysis.
Look at each quarter / year. Figure out profits for each, types of clients and work offered. Make some predictions for the future. Record any changes to make.
5 - Mini Retreat – Big Picture View
For options, read this post: How to do a Mini Retreat - Business or Personal
6 - Time planning – weekly schedule, monthly, year.
Print out worksheets or make your own. (Click for Weekly Flow, Year -at-a-Glance.) Start with a clean slate. Add in required activities. Look for things to cut. Add in top priority activities.
7 - Update LinkedIn profile.
8 - Review all digital presence.
Make adjustments if needed.
9 - Get ahead on newsletter, Insta posting, other social media.
10 - Digital clutter clear out.
Look through computer files. Delete old items. Adjust folders as you go. Archive old files.
11 - Paper work and files.
Go through paperwork. Look through everything to pull out old documents to recycle/shred.
12 - Bookshelves.
Pull all the books down, dust. Look through them. Give away old books. Perhaps stack in a new way.
13 - Bulletin board / vision board.
Make a new one, or re-do current ones and start a new one.
14 - Visual Reminders
Make posters for the office or fridge – with whatever you need to be reminded of – routines, goals, plans, schedule.
15 - Self-care plan review.
What are you currently doing for self-care? What do you wish to add? Anything to cut? What’s your budget? Make adjustments and add activities into your schedule.
16 - 3 Ideal Clients
Check out this post - Three Ideal Clients - Book Excerpt
17 - Review policies.
Adjust or add.
18 - Update Terms / Contract.
19 - Look at prices and adjust.
Perhaps add new fees, e.g. travel, late fee, reschedule, rush work.
20 - Development new offering or class.
21 - Brainstorm new marketing materials.
22 - Create Pinterest board.
For inspiration/ communication with designer, or to draw from yourself.
23 - Research people to hire / network with.
24 - Organize photos and imagery for marketing.
Update labels, perhaps put in one folder.
25 - Collect a copy of all your materials and put in one place.
For example, all ads or brochures, business cards – put in a notebook. Or all of your handouts, print and put in a folder / notebook.
26 - Take inventory of supplies.
Reorganize supplies. Label.
27 - Make a bingo card of goals. - See below.
Pick 5 categories. Write in the spaces under the BINGO. Under each, fill in tasks or accomplishments. Give yourself rewards when you get a line or blackout. I used this for marketing my book after it was written. It’s still on my fridge!
28 - Get all tax + legal info in one place.
Online and in print form.
29 - Research swag you might want to make.
30 - Research boutiques, galleries.
31 - Research events in the area for small business / community / your field.
Make a calendar of when they happen.
32 - Research events you might want to sponsor.
33 - Research charities / causes to give money or time to.
34 - Reach out to old friends and contacts just to say hi.
Only if this feels legit and you want to, with no direct business agenda.
35 - Follow up with people you’ve talked about collaborating with.
36 - Create a class or workshop to offer for profit, or as a volunteer.
37 - Do a numbers review, by month.
Check out these worksheets: Service Providers, No Sales Tax; Services Providers, with Sales Tax; Product Makers (Retail/Combo).
38 - Make a list of Household Bills
This can be useful when making your own Salary goals. Click here for a worksheet.
39 - Give yourself a Reward.
Because you deserve it. Click to see a menu.
40 - Find some books to read, related to your work.
Consider going to the bookstore to be able to browse in person.
41 - Research a vacation or work trip.
Put it on your calendar.
42 - Do some math to give yourself a raise!
Update on website and materials.
43 - Send an email or thank you card to a role model or someone who inspired you.
Okay, that’s the big list. You don’t need to do all these things! It’s just a menu. Use one of the strategies above to make your own plan. Either the Jar, Top Ten, Two-DO list, or Roll the Dice.
♥
Please, let us know how it goes! Share any stories or suggestions in the comments below.
Cheers,
Jenny
Click on the image to get a downloadable pdf.
Here’s the Bingo Card I made after publishing my book. It helped me stay on track and celebrate successes!
