Shane Parrish

Number them in order of importance.

The next morning, start with number one, finish it, scratch it off, move to number two.

If something doesn't get done, put it on tomorrow's list.

That's it.

That is the entire system.

ninety days later schwab sent ivy lee a check for thirty-five thousand dollars lee had taught them follow through and schwab believed it was worth a fortune

I was so impressed by the story's message Mary Kay wrote that ever since I've made up my own daily list and it's worked out wonderfully for me.

Remember, she was sleeping five hours a night, working from five in the morning until 10 at night.

Three kids, no husband, making $30 on a good day.

That list kept her sane.

It kept her going.

Every evening before bed, she'd write tomorrow's six things, the children's schedules, where the parties were, which customers needed follow-up calls, what inventory to pack.

My list keeps me on track, she explained, and I give it all the credit when people tell me how well I follow up.

Once she wrote something down, it became what she called a tangible commitment, something she had to do.

It also disciplines me to do those things I'd rather not do.

The list of things that most people tend to put off and never get around to doing.

And then she'd add this warning, don't trust it to memory.

If you don't write it down, you'll never get around to doing even the most well-intentioned tasks.

But the most important application to follow through wasn't the lists or early mornings.

It was the customers.