Quick Accountability Checklist
Being your own boss, and working in the isolation of your home office, it’s easy to get caught up in routines and stay busy managing things at their current status level. There is no outside pressure to improve or to change.
The incentive has to come from within. Most entrepreneurs have that ongoing desire for self-improvement already, as it was the fuel that initiated the decision to become self-employed. But we all need re-fueling from time to time…
I opened an email from Ramon Williamson the other day that was very thought-provoking, yet simple. He asked 7 questions that served as a great little accountability checklist…
Let’s review your day, Lynn
… mentally check off each statement that is a “yes”:
_______ I made significant progress today on at least one of my major projects or priorities.
_______ I invested at least 30 minutes in my own personal wellness, growth and development (exercise, reading, listening, mediation, eating well).
_______ I completed at least one marketing action to grow my business.
_______ I’m doing OK but I know I could be doing so much better.
_______ I touched at least one person today in a positive way.
_______ I laughed out loud at least one time today.
_______ Overall, I’m feeling really proud of the process I’m making in my life.
Ok, how’d you do?
Right now,
(1) take out a clean sheet of paper and make a list of your top 5 to 7 most important priorities for Wednesday;
(2) number each of them in order of priority; and
(3) in the morning, start with #1.
Like I said, very simple but also thought-provoking. I had opened this email in the evening, at the end of a work day, and was happy to give a “yes” to each of the statements.
Of course, not every day goes quite that well 
. Sometimes my mind is in a completely different place – scattered or distracted, and sometimes I find myself doing ‘busy work’ instead of productive work.
It’s nice to get an email now and then that puts things back into perspective!
If you didnt answer the yes/no questions in Ramon’s note that I copied above, scroll back up and see how you score today. If you are reading this at the beginning of your work day, it may help you to pen out some mini-goals for the day. In fact, if you find it helpful you may want to print them out and post them as your own personal checklist to keep your eye on your priorities.
Best,
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Hi Lynn,
Allan Gardyne ran a similar article recently, which was a complete inspiration for me. You know when you read something similar 100 times, and ignore it, but suddenly you read it one more time and something clicks into place?
Well, Allan’s article was one of those for me. It’s at http://www.associateprograms.com/articles/569/1/How-to-actually-get-those-affiliate-tasks-done
But… I didn’t like the Google site he mentions, as I already have a homepage that I don’t want to mess with.
So, I’ve written myself a little desktop app which basically does what Allan writes about… and it just reminded me I should be setting up my affiliate program. Ooops. Gotta go!
Andy
That was an excellent article – thanks for the link!
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
Very good post… I do my to-do lists the day before and that has been helpful for me… I like the idea of reviewing at the end of the day, especially focusing on the really important aspects of running a business, not just the minutia and busy work.
I agree, Sandra. And there is always enough busy work to keep you busy if you let it. Prioritizing is the key
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
It’s always good to be reminded to reflect on your day and consider all that you’ve accomplished.
The checklist certainly was thought provoking and I loved how the questions were phrased.
Thanks for publishing this, Lynn. I hope that it serves as an inspiration and reminder to others to make the most of everyday, not only for business, but for pleasure.
~ Teli