During this next week, we are planning on taking time to look at what we did this year that worked and what didn’t. After that, we are going to sit down and set goals!! I love goal setting and refreshing things in our business and personal lives. One of the things that I think REALLY worked this year and that I think has benefited me in a great ways was to stop writing those massive to do lists. This is a post for everyone, not just photographers! I know that moms, creatives, and anyone can really benefit from this tactic.

Even though I love and obsessed with sticky notes, they are currently all over my desk with little notes to remember and lists of ideas for blogging and other projects, I had to tell myself to STOP writing a mile long to do list every day. It was overwhelming. I wasn’t getting anything done really. I spent way too much time staring at that piece of paper, figuring out how to get it all done in one day instead of actually doing anything. Now, I’m not saying that it isn’t good to have a to-do list or to know what needs to get done, but when you are overwhelmed or your list is too long, you don’t feel like you really accomplished anything. It leaves you feeling defeated. We want to feel like we accomplished something during the day instead of only a few things crossed off that long list.

Here’s the trick- write down FIVE and only FIVE things that you can do in the day. For me this list of 5 things includes home chores like laundry or cleaning the bathroom (YUCK!!) and photography things. One day could say blog for the week, edit engagement session, laundry, cook a nice dinner, update one gallery on the website. That’s it!! This allows me to get things done and crossed off and leaves me feeling awesome! I know that 5 things doesn’t seem like a lot, but somedays that is all I can accomplish because we are working on a big project or because things come up in the day. But I know that I can get through 5 things every day. If I can get through my 5 things and come up with more things to do and accomplish, great! But if I all I can do is 5 things in a day, then I feel good about it.

Big thanks to my friend Abbey Kyhl for teaching me this!! Here is the set of sticky memo pads that I have for Monday-Friday that I write down my 5 things a day on!