The traditional to-do list is a staple of productivity. We write tasks, we check them off, and feel a sense of accomplishment. But does this method truly lead to the best results? Many successful people are shifting their approach, moving from rigid to-do lists to something more fluid and inspired. Here I share two alternative practices to enhance your productivity and creativity, and ultimately, your results.
Inspired Action: Ask “What Do I Feel to Do?”
Traditional to-do lists push us to prioritize based on logic, deadlines and external pressures. But what if instead of asking “What do I think I should do next?” you asked “What do I feel to do next?”
This small shift in language opens up a powerful way to tune into intuition. One of my earliest experiences with this practice came from a coach who asked me not when I wanted to meet next, but when I felt to meet next. At first, I dismissed the phrasing as a language barrier (he wasn’t a native English speaker). But after following his guidance, I realized that when I trusted my feeling, rather than my tightly packed schedule, things fell into place with far more ease.
A personal example stands out. I was looking down my own to-do list and asked, “What do I feel to do next?” Zing—I got a feeling: Go get your driver’s license. That task had sat on my list for some time, without attention. So off I went to get my license. I walked into the agency, handed in my old license, and got my new one. Easy. Though it wasn’t supposed to be that easy—there was a glitch in the system that day, and I ended up skipping over several months of driving instruction. All because I asked, What do I feel?
When you take inspired action, you align with the flow of opportunities already present around you—opportunities you may have overlooked if you stuck to a rigid plan. For entrepreneurs, this can lead to serendipitous breakthroughs, like unexpectedly running into an investor at a casual event or receiving a last-minute introduction to a key decision-maker, all because you’re following your intuition rather than sticking to a strict agenda.
Build a Rainbow of Awareness, Not a To-Do List
A second alternative to the to-do list is what one participant at a recent talk shared with me—a practice I now call the Lucky Rainbow. Every Sunday, this individual takes a stack of Post-it notes and writes down happenings he anticipates for the upcoming week—things that would accelerate his goals. It’s like creating a list of coming attractions for the week ahead. He places these notes around his workspace, forming a rainbow of awareness.
What makes this approach so powerful is the priming effect. By bringing these anticipated happenings into his awareness at the start of the week, he tunes his mind to recognize opportunities as they arise. Without this priming, the chances of recognizing these moments would be much lower. Because these potential happenings are already in his awareness, when one starts to materialize—whether it’s a partnership in a casual conversation or a sudden opportunity to pitch an idea—he’s ready to seize it.
This method is distinct from long-term vision boards because it is precise and purposeful for the coming week, ensuring that his focus remains sharp and actionable. As the week progresses and these anticipated happenings occur, he pulls down the Post-it notes corresponding to the events—and sticks them next to the associated goal, effectively check off his end goals, many of them revenue-focused. It’s a practice rooted in awareness, not accomplishment, allowing for flexibility and serendipity.
For entrepreneurs, this method can help in staying alert to subtle opportunities that lead to closing deals, securing unexpected partnerships, or finding key resources just when they’re needed most. By setting up the Lucky Rainbow for the week, you become more attuned to the possibilities that might otherwise pass unnoticed.
Try it for yourself
Both of these methods—taking inspired action and building a rainbow of awareness—invite flow and intuition into the productivity process. Entrepreneurs who embrace these practices find themselves more open to opportunities and success—all by inviting in a little bit of luck.
If you try either of these approaches, let me know how you go!