Your Complete Guide To Strategic Task Lists
Here’s the honest truth for entrepreneurs - your task list will NEVER be complete. There will always be more to do! So how can you manage everything without tasks or projects slipping through the cracks? Use strategic task lists.
Why You Should Use a Strategic Task List
A strategic task list is a list of tasks that can help you achieve your goals. It is a tool that can help you stay organized and focused on what you need to accomplish. It can be used for a variety of purposes and is one of the strongest time-management tools you can have in your arsenal.
Strategic Planning:
Use the list to organize your thoughts and plan out your agenda for the day or week with each item representing an action or project you want to complete.
Goal Setting:
The tasks on the list are those things that support your goals, making it easier to remember what needs to be accomplished in order to reach them.
Resource Management:
This type of task list is often used by people who need reminders about what’s happening at work so they know which meetings they need to attend, identify gaps, and maximize capacity.
Change Your Strategy by Having a Strategic Task List
If you have a task list, you are more likely to complete it within time limits which will lead you to accomplish your goals faster.
With a written strategic task list, you are less likely to be derailed or distracted by small tasks that may not seem urgent but actually are urgent. Being able to identify what needs immediate attention is important for an organization’s success.
When there is clarity about what needs to be accomplished time gaps are eliminated and you achieve maximum productivity levels.
Create the Perfect Strategic Task List
Creating the perfect strategic task is easier than you might think. Following these simple steps will ensure that your task list is effective:
First, do a brain dump! Using a pen and paper, set a timer for 15 minutes. Write down EVERYTHING that you need to do - business and personal. Do not assign deadlines, edit or prioritize yet. When the timer goes off, try to go for another 5 minutes.
Next, prioritize the tasks using the time management matrix:
Urgent + Important: Must do tasks with a clear deadline such as paying taxes, paying bills, completing work on a deadline. If this isn’t done - there is a clear consequence!
Urgent + NOT Important: Time-sensitive tasks that should get done such as replying to your emails, client communication, working with your team. This is an excellent area to automate and systemize.
NOT Urgent + NOT Important: These are tricky tasks because these are the ‘should do’ tasks we say yes to without determining if they really help us reach our goals. Learn to say NO to these tasks. Outsource to another to handle this area.
NOT Urgent + IMPORTANT: This is where you want to play! Focus your time and energy on important revenue-generating tasks such as marketing, sales, or developing new revenue streams.
Many of the tasks should be based on your goals. I find it helpful to keep a printed copy of my goals on my desk, usually in my day planner, for quick reference.
Finally, check your daily task list at night and prioritize the remaining tasks based on what you should be working on first. Create a fresh list every morning pulling forward the unfinished tasks from the day before.
It is important for any organization to have a strategic task list. Whether your company has 1 employee or 100 employees, using strategic lists will help them understand the steps needed to reach the end goal and thus, provide stability and consistency in your strategy.
To help you get started with your strategic goal planning, grab this FREE Goal Planner:
