5 Pieces Of Paper You Should Keep In Your Pocket
I am a creature of habit, but I also tend to forget things. So, I often end up doing things for forgotten reasons.
Does that make sense? I am not actually sure…
Anyway, in my day job I manage a group of intelligent, but distrustful, people who continually ask the question ‘why’ over and over again.
Truly, it does become irritating. Imagine working with a bunch of five year olds with ADHD who are all smarter than you.
That’s right. The type of people who consider chess a sport and computers a logical extension of their own brains. I am often surprised by the complaints that they come up with.
People, after all, are unpredictable.
Except for me; I know that I am forgetful. You could say that, like most working people today, I have a tendency to over-book myself. The combination of these two things leave me exposed to the risk of not knowing what the heck I am doing at any point during the day.
The hardest part of it is that I don’t only have a day job. Like most of the people reading this right now, I am working towards having my own business in addition to my day job. It is tiring, and can be very difficult to keep up.
So, I keep lists.
This post is about five specific lists that I keep with me all day long. I refer to them often, and when I am making decisions, they help me to stay focused and stress free, and they help me to use my time the right way.
The lists are:
1. My Current Projects
One of the most important things you can do to enable yourself to be as productive as you can be (avoid getting burned out) is to somehow keep track of your priorities.
For me, that means the ability to be aware of everything I am working on at a point in time. So, one of the pieces of paper I keep includes just that – my list of current projects and their relative priority.
The beauty of this is that when I am trying to decide what to do next, the paper tells me to do what is important, no what I feel like doing at that point in time. This is great for me as I usually just want to do whatever is easiest.
2. Keywords I Want To Rank For
Everyone knows that keywords are Google’s raw materials. The search engine uses them to help searchers find the information they want.
So, I have decided upon some keywords that I want to rank for and I keep the most important of them on a piece of paper. That way, when I am working on my link building, planning for future posts, working on article marketing, or any of the other things that are included in my strategy, I can simply look at my list to pick out a keyword.
Mostly, for blogging, I use this for keyword luv comments and for posts that I am writing. This list is updated every Sunday, and is rarely the same two weeks in a row.
3. Post Ideas
This list is a no-brainer for bloggers. If I don’t keep a list like this somewhere, I know that I could easily forget some of my best post ideas. But, post ideas for blogs are not all that I have on this list.
This list also includes some of my strategy. It is kind of like a link planner and looks something like this:
idea | keyword to rank | keyword to link | link target
The great thing about this list is that I write it in pencil, so I can change it at any time. And, seeing all of the links that I have planned can help me to come up with new blogging topics (pretty nice, I think).
4. Improvements To Make To Existing Assets
This could include this website, one of my niche websites, or any of the Web2.0 sites that I have posted articles to. It has become obvious to me that I tend to not notice problems after seeing them a few times, so I keep this list updated.
When I have time to work on my sites, I refer to this list and knock out whatever I can in that time. I redesigned this site not so long ago (screenshot of the old look here), and used only the notes on this piece of paper to plan all of the changes.
It works well for Web2.0 as well. I have a few Squidoo lenses that really need to be updated. I know what updates need to be made and why – they are all detailed on this list. So, next time I have an hour or two I will be able to make a better decision about where I put my time.
5. Who I Want To Get To Know
This is probably the most important list I have. I know that some of you are thinking – “what about your post ideas or your list of projects?”
Well, to be fair, all five listed here are essential for me to stay focused and to continue to improve my sites. But, when I look at the long term benefits of each of these lists, relationship building is by far the most important.
In my opinion, seeking out people with whom you have things in common has many of the same benefits as it does in the real world. For example, when I have a question, I know that there are at least a few people that I can email or reach out to on Skype.
These relationships could end up in joint ventures or just friendships in the future. Either way, I will be happy about it.
This list contains the following information:
person | twitter id | websites URL
Conclusion
These five lists have helped me more than I can express here. Just from the point of view of keeping my sanity while trying to accomplish more than I have any business to, these lists have kept me organized.
Making decisions is part of a normal day, and having the information you need to make the best decisions close by is essential.
Again, in this post I mentioned relationship building. If you want to contact me, you can do so by using either Twitter or Skype. Let me know what I can do for you.
Skype – My handle is icebluebanana
What Do You Think?
What kind of information do you find that you need easy access to when you are planning?
5 Pieces Of Paper In Your Pocket Photo Credits
All: 
photo credit: waljoris
Related posts
- A Few Productivity Tools You Cannot Live Without
- The Power of Priority
- A flood of productivity - 5 ways to make yourself unstoppable
- 5 Tips to Reduce Stress and Increase Productivity
- Use Photo Dropper and Flikr To Make Your Life Better
Twitter: rdempsey
said:
Hi Mark great post. I can totally understand how it is to be overwhelmed with so much to do. When I had my first business – IT work – I would routinely burn myself out every two to three weeks. It was that predictable.
To help me I use an app called Things. It’s always with my on my iPhone and syncs with my Mac. I keep everything, and I mean everything, under projects. Everything is a project, except family time.
I’m glad your last list is “people to get to know” and not “people to kill.” That wouldn’t be as much fun.
Robert Dempsey@Internet Marketing Strategies´s last [type] ..The War On Affiliate Marketing Is On – Be Ready
Ha. Well, I do agree with that.
I can relate to what you are saying about use of time. Like you, everything outside of family is project work to me as well.
Currently I am using Trac for some things, Remember The Milk for others, and paper/excel for others still.
I do love pen and paper though, as sick as that may sound. There is just something I like about putting ideas on paper.
Its like they stick in my head better and seem more real.
Thanks for the visit and have a great day!
With an online store, a rapidly-growing blog and an Amazon book/toy business, I envy you guys who are able to make organizing systems work for you. I always start out with good intentions but end up resenting the amount of work it takes to update the system.
If there’s something I really want to remind myself to do, I send myself email. Or I just go ahead and do it to get it out of the way.
It probably helps that I don’t have a “real” job to go to.
Thanks for the article!
Charleen Larson´s last [type] ..It’s not complete until you say so
Wow Charleen, it looks like you have quite a bit going on.
For me, the advantage of these lists is that they help me to keep my highest priorities in mind.
They are not to do lists. Rather, they are lists of priorities.
So, when I have a decision to make, I look at my lists to help me to make the right decision.
BTW- I send myself emails every day for the same reason.
Have a great day!
Twitter: stevescott1
said:
Lists!
Not just good for posts, but great for planning. I agree 1000%. I am always making lists and setting.
Along with current projects I think it is also important to have lists of future ideas. they can be very rough ideas of the, “where do you want to be in 5 years” but they should be doable. There is no reason that you cannot set very subtle groundwork now for what you want to do in the future.
regardless a “post ideas” list is essential. I carry a pen and small note book with me everywhere. Some of my best ideas come when waiting in line at the bank, at the grocery store or at the gym. Ideas that would be long gone by the time i get home if i did not write them down.
Steve@Lifestyle Design´s last [type] ..How to Build an Affiliate Autoresponder Sequence without “Burning” a List
Hi Steve,
Really great idea about a sixth page for longer term goals. I may add that one today.
I agree with you on post ideas. For some reason, most of my ideas in general arrive at times that I am away from a computer. Go figure.
Have a great day!
Hi Mark,
I use lists quite extensively. My lists get long very quickly.So I’ve decided that I must complete or scratch something from my list before I may add something new. It forces me to actually do something about the things on said lists!
Anne Sales´s last [type] ..epc Belfast
Nice idea Anne! That would certainly motivate me to through a list.
Thanks for visiting!
Twitter: Murlu
said:
I keep a flash drive on my at all times (in combination with Dropbox) which has the majority of my projects. I try to break things down into items that I’m currently working on, my content spreadsheet and some of the tasks that I need to keep a reminder of (which is actually just general notes).
Even if you don’t actually use the thing – I think it’s good to still have your documents on you to remind you to keep at it and to have in case you gain a bit of inspiration to work right on the spot.
Murray Lunn@Start an Online Business´s last [type] ..Content Strategy- The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need to Create an Incredible Impact Online
I totally agree. The fact that I have these in my pocket keeps me thinking about my goals and projects.
That makes a huge difference.
Thanks for stopping by Murray.
Twitter: AboriginalMama
said:
Oi vey. I am a list-making fiend. I make lists of lists that I need to make. I have sub-categories of sub-sub-categories. It’s a nightmare if you’re anyone except me, but then again, I’ve always said that my brain is organized chaos.
And nothing is in any particular order, and margins are and always have been perfectly acceptable places to write entirely separate lists and annotations!
It makes no sense. =) But it works. The biggest lists I have going right now are articles I need to write for my clients, and products –both free and purchasable– I’m planning to create for my own site.
Delena
Delena Silverfox´s last [type] ..epc Belfast
Wow. That sounds complicated to me. Of course, all that matters is that it works for you.
By the way, I agree with you about margins. Write it wherever it belongs.
Have a good day Delena!
Twitter: liveurlove
said:
Mark, this is great.
I am not really organized. The one list I do keep track of is post ideas list cause I always write them down.
I started creating a list of people I want to connect with and started by creating a separate Twitter list for them. I guess I have to start somewhere, right
There is one thing I will do and have been planning to get on it and that is make a keyword plan for my blog that I made for all my niche websites even before I started. That will be some hard work, but the sooner I start the sooner I will finish.
Bookmarking this one
I will have to re-read it and go one by one in creating new lists and updating the ones I already have.
Brankica@Blogging for beginners´s last [type] ..50 Traffic Sources You Should Milk Like Crazy
Ha. Keyword planning can be tough. When you have built a good list for that, it becomes easier to think of new post ideas, create a linking strategy, etc.
Doing those things without a good list can be very difficult.
Also, your list of people to watch on Twitter is a great idea. I know that it has been very beneficial for me to use one.
Have a good day Brankica!
Twitter: buildrankprofit
said:
Great post Mark and honestly I could take a leaf (post it?) out of this book because Iam all over the shop at the best of times.
I do like the line:
Imagine working with a bunch of five year olds with ADHD who are all smarter than you.
but isnt that just a fancy explanation for the Blogosphere?!?
ALl these young idealistic punks with too much time on their hands and too much skill.
Bastards
Alex@amazon niche sites´s last [type] ..5 Ways to Massively Increase Your Conversion Rates and Make the Most of Your Traffic
Haha!
Well, I believe you might be right. I just know those whipper-snappers have been walking on my lawn too.
Its easy to feel out of control sometimes. Or, three times a week.
Have a good day Alex.
Twitter: buildrankprofit
said:
Oh one more thing, I think htat once you get into the deep end of your online business it is important to have another 6th piece of paper. – Toilet paper, because I guarantee you will shit yourself on numerous occasions when you see what is on the other 6 pieces of paper?!? LOL
Alex@amazon niche sites´s last [type] ..The 30 Day Article Marketing Challenge
Twitter: techwork_dk
said:
Hi Mark
I love lists as well. It keeps me on track and I don’t forget to focus on what I already have decided to do. I have a list with post ideas. Whenever I get an idea for a post I write it down right away with a short description and maybe a link or some keywords for researching issues.
Thomas@IT-Blog´s last [type] ..Follow your twitter stats with twittercounter- part 1
Hey Thomas,
That is pretty much why I keep them. Days seem to move so quickly and it is easy for me to forget why I am doing things.
Really, these lists motivate me.
Thanks for stopping by!
Twitter: lavenderuses
said:
Hi Mark
I am a list person too. The big problem is sticking to the lists and not putting it off till the next day lol
With blog ideas, I tend to put them in Word documents and they sit on my desktop till I finish them and/or publish them.
Have picked up a few helpful tips from your lists Mark. Thanks. Now to implement them
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia@lavender oil´s last [type] ..The Lovely Lavender’s Smelling Sweet…Unlike Athlete’s Foot!
Ha. I know what you mean Patricia.
Implementation is the key. Good luck!
Twitter: michaelpedzotti
said:
Hey Mark, I have some many lists at times I need a master list to keep them all in order. Then I forget where I put my master list so I start a new list with a few things on it I can manage in the next few days
Then I find my lost list and discover that the things I wrote on my temporary list are nothing like those things I was meant to be doing.
Then I wake up from the nightmare and realise that if I’m dreaming about lists I must be putting in too many hours with the day job and the online business, family responsibilities and so on
Time to outsource a few more things!
You’ve given me an idea though. I’m off to check for List apps on my iPad.
Michael
Michael Pedzotti´s last [type] ..10 Steps to Internet Business Success Step 1 – Clear vision
Ha. Great point about lists. Making them into something to help manage your tasks can be difficult.
The most important thing about the lists I describe above is that they are not task lists.
Rather, they are priority lists to be used in decision making.
They are also fairly short, which is why they are each on a single page.
Actually, the papers are about 1/4 of a sheet of paper and I only write on one side. Forgot to mention that, I suppose.
Also, each paper has no more than 10 items. I find that helps a ton.
Its all about simplifying my work-flow.
Good luck with the iPad lists!
Have a good day Michael.
I never thought about making any kind of lists for that. Now, after reading your article, I think I’m going to make my own lists to keep. Thanks mate.
Andrew Walker´s last [type] ..Iolo Coupon Code
Hi Mark,
Nice post and good suggestion for keeping 5 specific list with ourself. These tips look good to be used and I am thinking to try it.