When you’re running a business—especially as a freelancer or small business owner—it’s easy to get caught in the daily grind. You make your list, check off what you can, and move the rest to tomorrow. But running a business this way can leave you feeling like you're busy all the time... without much to show for it.

There’s a better way: leading with intention.

Start With the Big Picture

Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, famously encouraged people to “begin with the end in mind.” That’s Habit #2—and it’s a game changer for entrepreneurs. Instead of working from a long list of tasks, ask yourself: What’s the real goal behind what I’m doing?

Maybe you want to build financial freedom, spend more time with family, or serve a specific group of people through your work. When you know your destination, you can steer your business in that direction—every single day.

Filter Your To-Dos Through Purpose

Tasks aren’t bad. But without a filter, they pile up and lose meaning. Before adding something to your list, ask: Does this move me closer to my bigger goal?

For example, answering emails is important—but not if it eats up your entire day while your website or marketing sits untouched. Being intentional means prioritizing what really matters, not just what feels urgent.

Schedule Time for What Matters Most

It’s not about having more time—it’s about using it better. One of Covey’s other habits is “Put First Things First.” That means blocking out time for the activities that drive your business forward: planning, networking, creating, selling. If you wait until your list is done, those things may never happen.

Make Space to Reflect

At least once a week, pause and ask: What worked? What didn’t? What needs to shift? This quick reflection can help you reconnect with your “why” and reset your focus.

Final Thoughts

To-do lists have their place, but they shouldn’t lead your business—you should. When you approach each week with purpose, your work becomes more focused, your results more meaningful, and your stress levels much lower. Lead with intention, and let your goals—not your task list—set the pace.

 

This article is part of our Business Coaching blog series. At Dataczar we talk to a lot of small businesses. We’ve found a few books that we keep recommending time and again. To better help our customers, we’ve added a Reading List for Small Businesses to our website. We encourage every small business owner to read and keep these timeless business books on their office shelf.

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