Tag: monthly task

Admit it, as entrepreneurs we have full plates. And for anyone running more than one business it can get very overwhelming quickly.  So why not add flexibilty with a weekly task list?

If you sometimes look up at the calendar and realize you forgot something, and it is a task you are supposed to do each week, (hello social media post to promote the blog), I have an answer for you.

 

Add Flexibilty With A Weekly Task List

Imagine creating a simple tool that helps you remember the things you have to do around your business and life. This tool tracks the repeatable tasks that can sometimes get missed. Imagine having this list of tasks that you need to do every week. By using this you can add flexibility with a weekly task list.

 

I created such a tool for my life and business (es) and it has been a game changer.  The key is that the tasks can be done generally any time during the week, as long as they get done. Because I am a pen and paper kind of girl and love the feeling of checking a box or crossing things off a paper list, I created a single list of tasks on my computer in Word, and I print off a fresh sheet every week.  

 

 

Here are a few of my tasks:

  • Create the soundbite for the next podcast episode
  • Promote the blog on social media
  • Make sure to pre-label 50 12oz coffee bags (put the logo and “roasted right” labels on them)
  • Print 25 Thank You Cards for shipped coffee orders

There are a few more, but these are tasks that support both businesses. If I have time on a Friday afternoon and I want to pre-label bags, or print the labels, I can do that.  If I have 45 minutes between calls and I want to create the soundbite for the podcast, I can do that too.

 

 

To create my list, I tracked all of my repeatable tasks for two weeks, writing down the things I had to do, then formalized it into a pretty document I like to check off. I also leave a few blank spaces on the sheet for the one off “miscellaneous” tasks that I need to get done in a given week. 

 

Having this list has not only helped with remembering all the little tasks but has also helped with procrastination. Many of these little tasks are kind of boring, or repetitive, and easily forgettable. Having a list in front of me also allows me to choose what to do and when.  Supporting good time management. It also allows me to know each thing on there is important for my life and business.

 

 

In a strange way this list has become kind of a game to see what I can “squeeze in”. That flexibility also reduces stress, because I don’t end up trying to get everything done at the last minute. I print off my weekly task list every Friday.   If you struggle with things falling through the cracks, give this a try, and please, let me know how it works for you!

 

Should you need more resources for your business, check out my free resources!

 

 

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/dawnkkennedy/public_html/wp-content/themes/crio/inc/boldgrid-theme-framework/includes/partials/template-tags.php on line 516
style="background: url(); background-size: cover; background-position: center center;">

I don’t like the word, “budget.” I think it seems restrictive, and many people agree. Prefer to use, “the spending plan,” because you are truly free to decide how to spend. I find, however, the monthly spending plan causes some real stress for people. Sometimes it is the idea of planning out the money (particularly before it’s made) and sometimes it’s the feeling that your plan must be perfectly executed to be any good. BUNK. Having an idea of what you will spend, and when, makes it easier to make decisions. Because you have set a limit. A written limit. Your spending plans. And the plan is designed to be dynamic. As dynamic as your business.

 

Having an idea of what you want to spend every month in different areas of your business is smart. It’s way too easy to just hand over the debit or credit card without counting how the amount you spend reflects on your overall business income and expenses. You are in business to make money and earn a profit. You have to have a plan for your spending.

 

Know what You Will Spend and Write it Down.

 

Think of you spending plan as a helpful guide. Beyond the expenses in your breakthrough number (the four walls), you should consider your spending in other areas, such as your marketing, projects, supporting persons (not employees), and business processes. Creating a marketing budget, creating a budget for contractors, and a budget for things like accountants and payroll allows you to make decisions throughout the month on where to maybe spend more, or where to cut back.

 

How much you can afford to spend will be something you need to work out based on your business’s goals and income but have numbers down. I’ve seen one too many businesses hire people or launch a campaign and then run out of money before things could be completed. Because they bought into what sounded awesome, not what was really affordable at that moment in their business.

 

Plan to Make Changes Throughout the Month

 

Guess what? My spending plans RARELY go unchanged throughout the month. Typically, at least one thing changes. Maybe I made a small investment into a resource or course that became available. Or I decided to move a project forward sooner than planned because of an opportunity that I wasn’t expecting. The thing is, having a written plan allows me to make those decisions.

 

Unexpected changes are, well, to be expected. When you have your plan in front of you have a baseline. Then consider what comes up. You can ask yourself, “Can I afford this? Is it moving us towards the vision? Does this work better now or later?” Your answers will then guide whether you want to spend now or not. But with a good written plan you will already know what money has been allocated, what’s left, and how much extra has come in the door to guide you.

If you need some guidance in creating your spending plan, and getting your business money stuff straight and stress-free, join me in the live Profit 101 course starting July 1st 2020. For more information on what we cover in the course, including the six pillars of your business money, visit https://entremoneycoach.com/profit-101 . Doors close on June 30th.