Feeling Scattered? Try This Super Simple Method to Prioritize Your To Do List (And Actually Get Stuff Done)
Let’s be real for a second… running a business can feel like trying to juggle flaming swords while answering emails and making sure to unmute yourself to talk on Zoom.
You’re managing clients, tracking tasks, dealing with systems (or lack thereof), and somewhere in the chaos, your to do list starts to look like a novel with no plot.
If you’ve ever looked at your list and thought “Where the heck do I even start?” you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I created a free Brain Dump + Prioritize Spreadsheet, and in this post, I’m going to walk you through how to use it to get your mental space and workflow under control.
If you’re already feeling overwhelmed with tasks and now you’re thinking “Great, another thing I need to download and learn,” stay with me! I promise this is one of the simplest tools I have to get organized!
My free brain dump + prioritize spreadsheet!
Step 1: The Brain Dump
Before you even try to prioritize, you need to unload your brain. Write down everything (yes, everything) that’s swirling in your mind. No need to be fancy. Just get it out!
Why this works:
It relieves the mental load.
It gives you a bird’s eye view of everything you’re juggling.
It keeps important stuff from falling through the cracks.
(💡If you don’t already have my free Brain Dump + Prioritize spreadsheet, you can grab it in my Free Resources Library. It’s simple, functional, and designed to help you breathe.)
Step 2: Prioritize With Purpose
Once you’ve brain dumped your entire brain into that spreadsheet, it’s time to get strategic.
In the sheet, you’ll see space to tag each task with your timeline:
ASAP
Tomorrow
This Week
This Month
Eventually/Outsourced
This system helps you schedule out your tasks to take away the overwhelm. The sheet will automatically transfer your tasks from tab 1 of the spreadsheet to the correct categories in tab 2.
Step 3: Realistic Daily Priorities
Now that you have a clear idea of what matters most, focus on the top priorities each day. Take it one step at a time. You don’t need to do everything today. You need to do the right things today.
This is how you create momentum, not burnout.
Why This Matters for Small Business Owners
As a fractional online business manager and operations consultant, I see so many amazing entrepreneurs with big visions and… scattered systems.
This simple workflow is often the first shift I implement with new clients. And the results? More focus, less stress, better decision making.
Whether you’re DIY-ing your business ops or getting ready to outsource (👋 hi, I can help), building intentional systems is the foundation of a business that doesn’t constantly feel like it’s on fire.
Grab the Free Tool
If you haven’t already downloaded the Brain Dump + Prioritize Spreadsheet, go grab it now in my Free Resources Library. It’s yours to use forever, and it’s genuinely one of the most effective tools you can use!
If you’re ready to level up your prioritization game, check out my free Priority Matrix Task Tracker. It builds off of this method to give you even more control and help with how your tasks get prioritized.
What’s Next?
In future posts, I’ll be diving deeper into:
How to build a task management system that works with your brain
My favorite tools to automate recurring tasks
Real world case studies from clients I’ve helped clean up chaos
If you’re a small business owner who’s ready to work smarter, not just harder, I’ve got a whole toolbox of free and paid resources coming your way. And if you're curious about what it would be like to have a Sidekick on your team, let's chat!
