The #1 thing I am doing Jan 1 to improve my business!

It's just about the New Year. And if you are like me, you are ready to enter 2010 with vigor, determination and big goals. My usual problem is that I have too much that I want to do... too many potential things trying to steal my attention. Here is how I fix that in an instant (well, a near instant) and always enter in the New Year with absolute laser focus.

1. First, do a quick classic brain dump exercise. Lock yourself into a room for an hour or two and write down a list of EVERY project and action you think you want and need to get done in the coming months. Don't judge what you are writing, just get it ALL out. Put down every product you want to create, every WSO you want to buy, every book you want to read, every business action you need to take (e.g. get business cards, sell stuff on ebay for seed money, back-up your hard drive, whatever). If it hits your brain as an action item, write it!

2. Once your brain has been emptied, put each item into an A, B or C category by writing the respective letter next to each item. A stands for a MUST DO action item, task or project. B stands for a NEED TO TO action and C stands for a NICE TO DO action. "Must do" actions are those that are critical and will put a stop to just about everything else if not done (for example, "fix broken computer" is an A type task because you aren't going to be doing much Internet Marketing without access to one). "Need to do" actions won't put an immediate stop to your goals and plans, but will have varying degrees of negative results if not done (for example, "add adsense to new blogs" may be B type task for a person working to monetize a network of websites as a part of their business. "Nice to do" actions are those that may provide some benefit but have few if any real consequences for not accomplishing (for example, "Learn Photoshop" may be fun and somewhat useful for your particular goals and business, but is not going to materially impact you in any real way.

*NOTE: The examples are just that, examples. If you are a budding artist and plan to sell banners and ecovers and build custom graphics, etc, then "learning photoshop" may be an A action.

3. Now that you have categorized each project, activity or action into A,B or C, start with your A list and prioritize each A item as A1, A2, A3 etc. A1 being the most critical of the A items to accomplish and have complete. Now repeat the process with the B items.

4. Do not prioritize your C list. Throw it away. You don't have time for it. Put that clutter out of your mind for good.

5. Create your master prioritized A list and B list on seperate sheets of paper in their sequential order.

6. Start working the list, in order! Start with A1 and work your way to the end. Don't even look at your B list until every A item is complete. (Obviously, this step could take days, weeks or months).

Now you have a plan of attack that should keep you laser focused on waht you need to get done to be successful! It has done wonders for me and my business. Good luck... and Happy New Year!