It’s Guest Post Wednesday, and here’s Ali!
Quick mental fixes have always seemed a little cheap. I mean come on, how much can a blog post really help? How does putting more stuff in our head help us sort it out?
Well here’s another very simple idea to keep you on the ball, moving and fearless, despite the waves of confusion the universe may be showering you with. (Money back guarantee!)
You’ve probably read “do the most important things first” over and over – but if you’re as muddled as me, you’ll be confused about your priorities a lot of the time.
List the most important points about what you’re doing, and why and how you’re doing it. Update them over time as your direction changes, or you improve your strategy.
Three by three
A neat way to get this together is in a 3 x 3 format.
For example I made three categories with three points each that would be just about right to inspire me at a glance.
Having them written down at my working area would mean I can look to them for ideas when I begin to feel less on-top-of-things than I need to be.
Mess with it
Of course you can change the categories and the number, but I think three things is manageable – and also requires some prioritizing which is the point of the whole thing.
For example
So here’s what I’ve come up for, for myself. Because at the moment I’m focussed on building my microbusiness, two of the three categories relate to that.
Life: three most important goals
- spiritual /personal development (I write about this stuff at AliStarbright.com)
- financial independence
- healthy marital relationship (my god I just realized how intertwined these three are)
Business: three important strategies
- blogging (AND guest posting in equal measures)
- contacting brick-and-mortar local businesses
- (obviously I need to put more thought into this one)
Business: three most important projects
- video for website introducing website products
- writing and designing promotional materials (my eternal bane)
- creating solid documentation and processes to make life pleasant for future clients
Last minute addition: future projects
- start the consulting service
- make a product that really helps startup soloists take their first steps
Make your own
Make your own. If you have trouble, take a look at some vital questions Catherine asked.
Make it move
I’ve changed these since yesterday which is good – I’m thinking about it and refining my plan. Edit and refine yours as much as you need – this means you’ll not only be on the ball but on your way to scoring with it.Care to share your own 3x3s? What categories did you choose and why? Struggle to fill any out? I tried pretty hard to fill out three business strategies – an area that needs more consideration.
Or, do you use another technique to stay productive and motivated that the rest of us would benefit from? See you in the comments!
Ali Dark empowers people to offer their passion to the world. He hosts and designs websites and blogs for entrepreneurs,solists and freelancers. Join his mailing list for blogging and microbusiness insights.
Just watch out for that corny tagline.
Photo by LucasTheExperience