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I once heard a story that took place in the 1930’s, maybe earlier. In the story, a rich businessman was having a difficult time growing one of his businesses. He was blaming employees, blaming manages, and blaming himself. He was searching everywhere, high and low, for a way to turn things around. No, he wasn’t worried about losing money – he had plenty of that – but he was worried about his reputation. He had never, not once, had a business that wasn’t profitable.

He asked some of the country’s most prominent financial and business advisors what their opinions were. Some said that he needed to try scare tactics to keep the workers motivated by firing and replacing one each month. Others believed that he should add more employees so that everybody could specialize on one particular task instead of being spread too thin. One advisor even believed that he should just cut his losses and move on.

The rich man did not like any of these ideas, but he wasn’t sure what to do…until a young teen heard about his predicament.

The youth of only 16 years had overheard conversations about all the advisors that were coming to town to help the rich man solve his problems. The strange thing was, he knew the solution but was baffled that none of the advisors had been able to provide it. He only knew it because of the advise that his father had once told him, the advice that was sure to solve the problem.

The 16-year old decided to make his way to the rich man’s office. After asking the secretary if he could speak with the rich man, he waited in the lobby for 20 minutes. Eventually, to his surprise, the rich man himself actually came out to speak with him. The young teen had never met somebody so prominent before.

“I hear you have some advice for me,” the rich man stated.

“Well, yes. That is true, I do have some advice.”

After a short pause, where both of them were unsure of who was to speak next, the old man prodded gently,

“Well son, what is it?”

“Sir, I don’t mean to sound like an authority, for I am not. But I believe the advice that I have to share with you will certainly turn your business around.”

“Go on…”

“If, before work each day, you and each of your employees write down 6 tasks that can be accomplished and promise yourselves to finish the list before the days end, then I believe that you will be highly successful.”

“Well, son,” said the old man, puzzled by the confidence of young boy, “it certainly seems like something that I could try out. How’s this, I’ll give it a shot. In one month if I decide your advice was worth anything, then I’ll pay you what you deserve.”

…One month passed and the young man received a message saying that he had to visit the rich man’s office once again.

When he arrived, he was presented with $25,000 for completely turning the rich man’s business around. His advice was simple, yet effective and certainly worth the money.

Have you ever considered to-do lists? If so, have you been successful in sticking to them?

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