Want to Get Things Done – Make a List of Action Items

Once you have the list of improvements you would like to make with your business, start prioritizing the list. Re-order the list according to your own priority standards. A few ways to order the list include selecting priority based upon:

• most pressing items
• items that will yield the biggest bang for the least bucks
• where the action needs to take place
• how you will get things done
• easiest items
• items that will generate the most income for the business
• least expensive items
• items easiest for current employees to manage

Be specific and detailed as you create your action plan. The more detail, work and care you put into this step of the process, the easier it will be for you go from action item to completion as you work your way through the list of items.

Once the items are set by priority, create a plan for how you are going to get done the things on your list. Do not merely plan to work your way through the prioritized list. Instead, create real plans with action steps you can and will follow to get things done. For each item on your improvement list, spell out specifically:

• who do you need to bring on board to get the item done
• what are the specific steps you will take to complete the list items
• when you will do each specific step along the way
• where is the specific place the action steps must be taken
• why is each step important and why is each thing being done

The most important thing to remember when dealing with the action list for improving your business is that you must take action now to complete the items on the list. All the work you put into creating an improvement list and making it an action list is wasted if you do not actually take the action!