The 6-Item List That Saved My Christmas (And My Sanity)
It's Tuesday before Christmas, and you know what I'm NOT doing right now?
Panicking about an endless to-do list.
Or feeling guilty about what I didn't finish yesterday.
Here's why: I only have 6 things on my list. Always.
Yesterday, I shared how I'm keeping Christ at the center when Christmas gets crazy. One of the ways I do that is by protecting my peace through systems that actually work.
Today, I want to share the single most powerful system I've used for decades. It’s carried me through my years as a Mary Kay consultant, my entire corporate career as a leader in the Defense Industry, as a woman in tech, while caring for my large household, and now through building multiple businesses with my daughters.
It's called the "6 Most Important Things" to-do list.
And it's the reason I can end every workday feeling accomplished instead of overwhelmed - even the week before Christmas.
Why Your 47-Item To-Do List Is Actually Sabotaging Your Success
Let's be honest about traditional to-do lists:
They're 20, 30, sometimes 47 items long.
They grow faster than you can check things off.
They make you feel like you're failing before you even start.
And by the end of the day, you've crossed off a few things, but the list is somehow LONGER than when you started.
You thought you were using a productivity system, when you actually have a guilt generator.
The Mary Kay System That Changed Everything
I learned this system in my early years as a Mary Kay consultant, and let me tell you - it changed everything.
Here's how it works:
At the end of each workday (or first thing in the morning if you prefer), you write down the 6 Most Important Things you need to accomplish tomorrow.
Not 10. Not 15. Six.
That's it. That's the list.
THE RULE: 6 Things Maximum
The Key is Rule #1
One of those 6 items MUST be an Income Producing Activity (IPA).
This is non-negotiable. If your list doesn't have an IPA, you're planning to be busy, not wealthy.
It’s not to check email, organize files, or research ideas.
It has to be an actual activity that moves money toward your business:
Writing a sales page
Following up with a potential client
Creating a product
Pitching an article
Launching a service
Posting content that drives traffic to an offer
If it's not making you money (directly or indirectly), it doesn't count as your IPA.
This one rule keeps you focused on WEALTH - not just busyness.
What Happens When You Don't Finish the List?
The beauty of this system is instead of guilting yourself, at the end of the day, you reevaluate:
Option 1: Move it to tomorrow's list
If it's still important and urgent, it goes on tomorrow's list of 6.
Option 2: Put it on hold
If it's not as critical as you thought, park it. Write it in a "someday" list and revisit later.
Option 3: Delete it
Sometimes tasks we think are important…just aren't. Let them go.
There’s no guilt or shame; just an honest evaluation.
This system gives me peace because I'm never carrying yesterday's unfinished work as emotional baggage. I have a plan for handling those items, and that plan is BUILT INTO the system.
How This Works the Week Before Christmas
Right now, my 6 Most Important Things for today look like this:
Write this blog post (IPA - drives traffic, builds authority, and promotes services)
Research a funding option for Crown Me Wig Collection
Edit a piece of content for the CHAMP For Life curriculum
Finish Christmas shopping (yes, this made the list)
Prep Wednesday's Bites & Blessings content
Confirm church service times for Christmas Eve
Notice what's NOT on my list:
"Respond to all emails" (because I'll get to what actually matters)
"Clean out inbox" (January's problem, not December's)
"Organize digital files" (I'd rather pay for storage than lose my peace)
"Plan 2026 strategy" (Christmas week isn't for strategic planning)
I have 6 things and 1 IPA. And I'm done.
And you know what? When I finish this list today, I'm DONE. I can rest. I can be present with my family. I can enjoy the Christmas season without the nagging feeling that I'm behind.
Why This System Works (Even When You're Busy)
1. It Forces Prioritization
You can't put 20 things on a 6-item list. So you have to ask: What actually MATTERS today?
Most of the time, we're busy with things that don't move the needle. This system forces you to identify the needle-movers.
2. It Protects Your Peace
When your list is manageable, you're not starting the day already defeated. You're starting with confidence: "I can do this."
That shift in mindset changes everything.
3. It Keeps You Focused on Revenue
That IPA requirement is non-negotiable. It means that every single day, you're doing at least ONE thing that builds wealth.
Over time, those daily IPAs compound into serious income.
4. It Works for Home AND Business
When I was managing a large household, I had TWO lists: 6 items for work and 6 for home.
Now I blend them into one list because my life is more integrated. But the principle is the same.
This is exactly why I can keep Christ at the center even when Christmas gets crazy - the system creates margin for what matters.
5. It Scales to Any Season
Corporate manager juggling teams - six things.
Entrepreneur building multiple businesses - six things.
Mom trying to survive December - six things.
The system doesn't change. Your priorities do.
Do you want the template I use for my 6 Most Important Things list? Paid subscribers get access to all my business templates, including the exact format I've used for 20+ years. Join paid subscribers here - $10/month.
What Jesus Teaches Us About Productivity (It's Not What You Think)
Here's what I love about this system from a faith perspective:
Jesus didn't run around frantically trying to do everything for everyone. He was intentional. He focused on what the Father called Him to do each day.
When people tried to pull Him in a million directions, He often withdrew to pray and refocus.
He modeled prioritization.
And as women building businesses while keeping faith at the center, we need that same intentionality.
We list six things, chosen prayerfully, executed faithfully, and evaluated honestly.
That's stewardship. That's wisdom. That's peace.
Your Quick Win: Create Tomorrow's List Right Now
Don't just read this and move on. Do this ONE thing right now (it takes 2 minutes):
Write down your 6 Most Important Things for tomorrow.
Use this format:
[IPA] - [Your income-producing activity]
[Task 2]
[Task 3]
[Task 4]
[Task 5]
[Task 6]
And tomorrow night, before you go to bed, reevaluate:
What got done?
What needs to move to Thursday's list?
What can you let go of?
No guilt. Just honest planning.
The System That Changed My Life
I've used this system for over 20 years.
Building a Mary Kay business,
Leading teams at Westech, ManTech, and Cubic.
Raising a family.
Partnering with my daughters in Crown Me Wig Collection and Winners Win.
Building Inspired Eagle Enterprise and Women Winners.
It's never failed me because it's SUSTAINABLE.
It protects my peace.
It focuses my energy.
It builds my wealth.
And it allows me to show up fully present in my business and life.
What About You?
I want to hear from you:
What's on YOUR list of 6 Most Important Things for tomorrow?
And more importantly: What's your Income Producing Activity?
Drop a comment. I read every response, and I want to celebrate your focus with you.
Coming Up This Week
On Wednesday, my paid subscribers get a deep dive into Mary's ability to “treasure and ponder.” even when everything around her was chaotic. If you've been thinking about upgrading to the paid tier, now's a great time. Join paid subscribers here.
Thursday, I'm sharing why January is THE month to start your book (not "someday"). If you've been sitting on a book idea, you won't want to miss this.
Friday, we're diving into The Word with a powerful story about a woman who waited 84 years. And what her story teaches us about not waiting any longer.
What’s up for Saturday? It’s the “Week in Review.” I’ll keep it light, personal, and real.
Live Inspired
Yvette
Pausing For You
Are you struggling to balance your faith and finances in your business? My Women, Wealth & The Word framework shows you how to build wealth without compromising your values. Start here.
Ready to write your book in 2026? I have 2 VIP Book Mapping Day spots left in January. One day = complete book blueprint. No more "someday." $997 - Reserve your January VIP Day.
