Let me introduce you to one of the most valuable tools I use, it's called a GrindSheet. This is a tool for you, or someone who works for you to make sure all the endless routine things that need to be done each month get done. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I still like checking things off on paper. Here we go, it's broken down into three parts:
1. Daily Stuff
2. Weekly Stuff
3. Monthly Stuff
Here's a snapshot of what I'm talking about:
Notice the three sections. Also look at how there is a fully framed box for each day in the daily section, just one box a week for the weekly, and one box to check a month for monthly stuff. Fairly self-explanatory, but here's what I'm talking about:
If it's a full framed box, it's GOT to be checked.
Ok on to some more about using this tool. So you'll also notice in the "weekly" and "monthly" the boxes stagger a bit, this way you're not doing all of the weeklys or monthlys on one day. This is what I'm talking about:
Here's a couple flaws with this sheet:
1. It doesn't account for longer months. If your month goes over 28 days, as most do, you have some dead space at the end of the month. For me it doesn't matter because there's always plenty to do and the extra time without obligations is welcomed.
2. It doesn't help with projects. Ideally you could break your projects into pieces and execute, but I didn't design the sheet for that.
Think of this sheet as the stuff that happens every day, week, and month, FOREVER.
I will say, we seem to tweak the sheet every month when we print a new one off.
Here are some additional things this sheet would work GREAT for:
1. Social media checklist -
So many things in social media are just a repetitive habit. I'm working with a couple people now that use this sheet for just that. They have daily things like: FB post, Twitter post, Instagram post, etc. Then weekly stuff like write a blog, post a FB Live video, Instagram Live video. etc. Then monthly stuff like produce an edited video, run a social ad campaign, etc. You get the point.
2. Creative content -
I believe so much of being creative is working "the muscle" and this would be the perfect sheet to have things like write a paragraph, research an hour, interview an expert, etc. If you make creative a habit, you'll get better, I PROMISE.
3. growing your network -
Think about this. Networking takes time and effort for extended periods of time. In fact, it's hard to measure sometimes how well you're doing. With a sheet like this you could develop, grow, and maintain a strong network. Think of things like send a thoughtful email, write a hand written letter, attend a networking event, buy birthday gifts, etc. If you made these ideas into a monthly rhythm, there is no doubt you'll have a strong network of loyal friends in NO TIME. Trust me, I value the people in my life and they know it. As you'll see I have networking things in my sheet already.
To wrap this up...
I'm a HUGE believer in habits. If you can't do something all the time, for a long period of time, you'll never have great success in that area. I feel like people who win at life have POWERFUL habits, and they NEVER let up. They grind grind grind! Try using this sheet as a tool in one area of your life, for a few months, and you'll see what I'm talking about. There is immense power in habits.