Ivy Ledbetter Lee (1877 - 1934) was a consultant in New York city. His clients included Rockefeller, Carnegie, The Du Ponts and many other high profile clients. One day, Charles Schwab of the Bethlehem Steel Company called Lee to ask about his services. Lee explained that, with his help, Schwab would know how to manage his company better. "H*LL" shouted Schwab. "What we need around here is not more KNOWING, but more DOING!" Rising to the challenge, Lee told Schwab that in 20 minutes or less, he could show him how to get more "doing" done. The men agreed to meet. When they met, Lee handed Schwab a stack of cards (like index cards). He told Schwab to make a list of the 6 most important things that had to be done the next day. Schwab did so. Then, Lee told him to rewrite the list in order of priority, with the most important listed first. Again, Schwab did so. Lee told him that the next morning, he should look at #1 and start working on it. He should look at #1 every hour on the hour until it's done. Then tackle #2 the same way. Then #3. Cross off each task when it is completed. Work on that list until quitting time. "Don't be concerned if you don't finish all six" Lee warned. "You are working on what is most important. The rest can wait." Lee told him to make a new list, for the next day, at the end of each day. "When you make up the next list, transfer your unfinished items to it. Again, put them in order of priority." Lee told Schwab that after he had tried this method, that he should have key employees do the same. Less than 20 minutes later, as he walked away, Lee said "Test it for as long as you like. Then send me a check for what you think my advice is worth." Later, Charles Schwab sent Ivy Ledbetter Lee a letter. In part, it said this; "This innocent little lesson is the most practical lesson I have ever learned in all my life. ...(snipped)... That did more to make Bethlehem Steel Co. the world's largest independent steel producer than all the meetings I have held with high paid executives." He enclosed a check for $25,000.00. This lesson is so simple and so plain that most people won't even bother to try it. Yet, this little technique has played a part in more success stories than you would believe. Walter Chrysler, Henry Ford, Thomas Watson, Dr Willaim Mayo (Mayo Clinic) and many, many more great achievers place this method of task prioritization at the top of their list of "habits for success." As for me, I swear by it. How about you? Or is your way getting better results?

Linda, Contrary to what I wrote you in email, I have heard this before. Unfortunately, I'm one of the people who didn't try it...or didn't do it right. Or didn't remember it. I tend to make a list of the 10 or 12 things I want to do each day, and work on three or four of them at once. Consequently, I never get the most important one--or any of the rest--finished. They all end up on my next day's list, along with three or four new things. I think I'll try it this way tomorrow. Cheri

Dear Linda, Some very good advice. My list is usually in my head. Perhaps if it was written down, things would get done. My head is usually a jumbled mess. Thank You,

Hi Linda, I don't think anyone could say that this is not sound advice. It is and it does work. I was blesse to read an e-book a few years back I found in and online college I had access to. It was about the 80-20 rule. It was a little more detail than listing 6 things but it worked basicly the same way. The key to it was spend 80% of your time doing the top 20% of what produces the postive results you are trying to achieve in any area of life, not just business. I would add this with out getting in to great detail here. What ever you have listed on the side of your list that is 80% activities that least produce the postive results you are trying to achive needs to be deleted or at let deagated to someone eles if posible. Short example a short list, if we was looking at promoting our business. Write ads Post ads Post blogs Post Forums Call warm market Cold Call Meet local marketers for coffee Put out flyer Auto surf for credits to drive traffic to a site. Email marketing Remember here this is only an example. However if I have been tracking and testing my results in these areas I can put them in there place quickly. If you have not you may have to do some testing and tracting of you promotions. 20% side in order Call warm market( Call people I know or that are in home business I make more sales this way than any other) Post Forums (Posting Forum about Business Opps has produces some sales) Post ads ( A have job to test and track results of ads as well as where I place the ads, makes a few sales) Meet local marketers for coffee ( great way to build localy and get some honest free back about a current or future project.) Email marketing ( great way to build relationships as well as making some sales if you have a good and growing list). ======== 80% side Write ads (I have to write, and test, and tract ads, but I should have working ads already) Post to blogs is new to me and I am still learning this so it is time comsuming to me. Auto surf for credits to drive traffic to a site.( It does drive traffic but not real clicks, I need traffic for search engien listing and rank. However this does not make sales,today) Cold Call( People hate when you call out of tye blue and try to sell them something. I personally have never made 1 sale this way.) Put out flyer( Form experience this is a waste of time,gas and money, unless I posting about a meeting that will be comming soon.) ======= So looking at my list you can see where I will start my day. You can also see that cold calling and put out flyers is something I could more than likely completely delete. The auto surfing can be done while I am out haveing coffee with local marketers. But this will come only after I have completed the first three things on my 20% list. Posting the Ads, I have automated so it can be done while I am making my warm market calls. As full time marketer at the end of the day I should have interacted with 70 to 150 people, by email, phone, messanger. Not just blasting ads to 200 safe list. If you part time you should be interacting with 40-60 a day. I know some people say this is not posible of they don't know that many people. Well then you need to learn how to never run out of a warm markert. But that another subject. Hope it helps! Johnny

Hi Linda, Great advise and as it worked for so many successful people we need to start implementing it in our daily routine. Have a good one. Bryan