Here is what to do if you are struggling to keep up with your business financials.

Getting work done for your small business financials starts with three Non-Negotiables: Organization, Focus, and Goals

Managing your Financial Books isn't just about numbers—it’s about clarity. With constant deadlines, customer care, and high expectations for accuracy, getting meaningful work done requires more than technical skill. It requires a system. And at the heart of that system are three non-negotiables: organization, focus, and clear goals. When these three work together, productivity increases, stress decreases, and the quality of work improves dramatically . 

1. Organization: Know What Needs to Be Done. You can’t manage what you haven’t defined. One of the biggest productivity killers in accounting is starting the day without a clear picture of what actually needs to be done.

 Organization begins with writing things down. Tasks floating in your head create mental clutter and make it harder to concentrate. Instead, document:

• Pending reconciliations

• Reports to prepare or review

• Deadlines (especially the non-negotiable ones)

Putting ideas and tasks into writing does two things:

1. It clears mental space so you can think more clearly.

2. It creates accountability—you can see the work, prioritize it, and track progress.

Organization isn’t about perfection; it’s about visibility.

 Good old pen and paper are my favorites, but I also use the Notes app from my iPhone or the Google Keep app. Both applications are free and user-friendly. 

2. Focus: Fewer Tasks, Better Results

Once everything is written down, the next step is focus. And here’s the key: focus doesn’t mean doing everything—it means choosing what matters most.

A powerful approach is to identify at least three important or most relevant tasks for the day. These should be tasks that:

• Move work forward in a meaningful way

• Have deadlines or high impact

• Require concentration and accuracy

By limiting your daily priorities, you avoid the trap of constant task-switching, which is especially dangerous in accounting work. Every interruption increases the risk of errors and slows overall progress.

Focus allows you to:

• Work more efficiently

• Maintain accuracy

• Finish tasks instead of constantly starting new ones

If everything is a priority, nothing truly is. 

Tip: If you remember other things you need to do while you are working on something else, just write them down to get them out of your head and review their importance when you finish the task you are working on. 

3. Setting Goals: Plan Before the Day Starts

Zig Ziglar used to say, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time". The most productive professionals don’t start their day figuring out what to do—they already know.

Preparing your task list the day before or before you begin working sets the tone for the entire day. This simple habit:

• Reduces decision fatigue

• Prevents wasted time

• Creates momentum from the first task

When goals are defined in advance, your brain can immediately shift into execution mode instead of planning mode. You’re not reacting to emails or interruptions—you’re working with intention.

A good daily goal list should be:

• Realistic (not overloaded)

• Clearly written

• Ordered by importance

This isn’t about filling every minute. It’s about ensuring that the most important work gets done—even if the day doesn’t go perfectly.

Tip: A lot of times, you will not be able to finish those three tasks you set out to do. Do not beat yourself up; just set them first on your list for the following day. This is life, it happens, and you will be ok. 

Why This Matters

Your financial books demand precision, consistency, and trust. Your organization ensures nothing is overlooked, your focus protects accuracy, and you set goals to ensure progress. 

Without these fundamentals:

• Deadlines feel overwhelming

• Errors become more likely

• Workdays feel busy but unproductive

With them, work becomes more controlled, predictable, and satisfying.

Final Thought: It’s about working smarter, not harder. When you know what needs to be done, organize your ideas in writing, focus on three key tasks, and plan ahead, productivity stops being a struggle and starts becoming a habit.