Feeling overwhelmed and disorganized in your business or at your office? Bring some calm and beat overwhelm by writing lists! These types of lists to make aren’t just about things to do, either. They will help you with organizing your thoughts, improve your time management, and fill you with inspiring ideas. Grab your planner or journal and explore these 16 practical lists you need to organize your business!
16 Practical Lists You Need to Organize Your Business
When disorganization and overwhelm take over my business building time, my favorite fix is to set a timer and make a list!
By clearing mental clutter and seeing my thoughts and ideas on paper, I feel calmer, more competent and organized, and ready to focus on work.
But not all lists are created equal. Some lists are just for fun, others help with planning, and still others can help you to be more organized.
Today, I’m sharing 16 practical lists you need to organize your business, so that you can clear that mental clutter and get back to work!
The Why Behind Lists
Before we jump into the list of lists 😉 , let’s talk about why it’s worth the time and energy to write them.
Creating lists frees up valuable physical and mental energy. It also saves you time that can be invested into your business, your family, and your passion projects.
By writing lists you:
- bring some calm to the chaos of life
- beat overwhelm
- can categorize tasks based on urgency or importance
- clear mental clutter and open brain space that can be dedicated to other things
- never have to remember tasks, appointments, or upcoming meetings (see the item above)
- ensure you’re taking steps toward your goals
- always have handy all of your brilliant thoughts and ideas
- can create collections of items you want to remember but know you’ll forget (quotes, books to read, projects to work on someday)
Lists are helpful tools that are simple to create and require only a few inexpensive tools. Why wouldn’t you want to use lists to help you be more organized?!
Keeping Your Lists Safe
There’s nothing more frustrating than investing the time and energy into creating an amazingly helpful list only to lose it in the clutter of your desk or office!
Keep your lists safe by creating a plan for where you will record them and store them.
I like to write my lists by hand. I feel more connected to the process that way. So, I store most of my lists in my bullet journal. But sometimes I know I’ll want a specific list available at a time when I won’t have my journal. Those lists go into Trello where I can access them any time I want!
Think about how you’ll use your lists and when you’ll refer to them (believe me, it will be more often than you think), then make a plan for keeping your lists safe!
16 Practical Lists You Need to Organize Your Business
Finally, we made it to good part: the list of lists. Let’s jump in!
Brain Dump
If you’ve been here before you probably know I love my brain dumps. It’s the best first step when beginning your list keeping habit. Clear out some mental space and get all the things down on paper. You’ll feel amazing!
Just set a timer and write whatever comes to mind. You’ll organize this list in the next couple of steps.
Master Task List
The master task list is simply a place to record any and all things to do.
Your brain dump might suffice, or you might prefer to break your list down further.
You can organize your master task list by:
- urgency and/or importance of tasks
- roles (business owner, home manager, mom, wife, friend)
- life areas (household, work, family)
- days, weeks, or months
- types of tasks (writing, follow up/communication, product creation)
- or any other way that makes sense to you!
This is an ongoing list that you add to and subtract from over time.
Goals
Written goals are far more powerful than ones stored in your brain, and you need to know where you’re going and how you’re getting there, right?!
Learn how to meet your goals every time!
Daily and/or Weekly To Do List
These lists help you to manage your time and cut down on decision fatigue. You know exactly what needs to be done and when.
Want to learn how to write a more effective to do list? Check out this post: How to Write a Better To-Do List & Actually Get Your To-Do’s Done!
Workflows/Routines
Save time and energy by doing things the same way each time and by stringing habits together into routines!
Plan and track workflows and routines with this list.
One of my favorite and most helpful routines is my Ultimate End of the Work Day Routine. Click the link learn more!
Current Projects
Keep track of in-progress projects and tasks that need to be completed during each step of the process. Then transfer that info to your daily or weekly to do list.
Unfinished Projects
I’m infamous for getting excited about projects and jumping in, then abandoning them midway.
Just ask my husband. #sorryhoney
By keeping a list of unfinished projects, I remind myself to finish what I started. This list helps to keep me current and rooted in my goals.
If this is an area of struggle for you too, try keeping a list of unfinished projects.
Future Projects
By keeping this list and the one above, I’ve almost kicked my project abandoning habit!
If current projects aren’t wrapped up, I channel my new project enthusiasm into this list and planning the project before jumping in. Plus, I know I won’t forget about the project or the ideas I had for it!
Decluttering Tasks
Keep track of areas you want to declutter and work on them a little at a time by referring to this list.
Get started with organizing your home office: 8 Steps to Organize Your Home Office!
Shopping List
Track office supply inventory and wish list items here. Never run out of items again and never buy multiples!
Tricks to Remember
Why is it that I can NEVER remember the correct size for a Facebook post image?
Perhaps because it’s CONSTANTLY changing?!
Ahem….
After the 100th time I looked it up, I created a “Facebook Tricks to Remember” list and voila!
What information are you always looking up or searching for? Add it to your “Tricks to Remember” list.
Packing List
If you travel frequently or even occasionally for work, having a packing list that you can refer to will save you tons of time and energy!
Plus, it’s a great way to keep track of things you often forget or that you love to have when you travel but don’t think to pack (a heating pad, travel yoga mat, or headphones, anyone?).
Books to Read
I’m always hearing about these amazing business, time management, and productivity books that I want to read. Then inevitably, when I sit down to read, I can’t remember the titles. #facepalm
Enter the “Books to Read” list.
Courses, Books, & Guides You’ve Purchased
I’m a self-confessed course junkie. In fact, I’ve been warned by my loving husband that I’m not to buy another new course until I complete the 124 that I currently own. #oops
It’s difficult to complete those courses when I can’t remember which ones I bought, the URL, my login information, and how far into the course I’ve already gotten.
This list to the rescue!
Appointments or Meetings to Schedule
When were you supposed to follow up with that potential client? And your BFF?
Wonder know more, because you can just check this list!
Inspiring Friends and Colleagues You Want to Chat With
Get out of your office and out with some inspiring peeps. Don’t know who to call? Look to your list, my friend!
Places to Find Inspiration
Maybe you need a creative break to refresh… But where to look or go?
Keep this list of books and magazines, online sites, and places to go so you’ll always know how to fuel your creativity and inspiration!
16 Practical Lists You Need to Organize Your Business
And that wraps up today’s list of lists!
Beat overwhelm and disorganization in your business by creating these practical lists that will help you clear mental clutter, track important information, organize your thoughts, and provide inspiration.
Grab your planner or journal and get to making these 16 practical lists you need to organize your business!
Related Posts
If you enjoyed today’s post, you might find these related posts helpful:
- How to Build Strong and Lasting Business Routines
- 10 Ways to Make Your Planner Work for You
- 6 Things To Do on Sunday for the Best Work Week Ever
- 5 Habits of Organized People You Can Adopt Today
What lists do you create to keep your business organized?
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