What's the Top Priority I Should Tackle Today?
Discover the single most critical task to move your solo business forward, tailored to your current stage in your journey
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If you’re a solopreneur, chances are you’ve got a ton of to-do list, 18 browser tabs open, and a caffeine addiction you’re pretending isn’t real.
But here’s the deal.
There’s always one task that matters most.
And it’s different depending on where you are in your journey.
Let’s break it down so you’re not just spinning your wheels but building real momentum.
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The Real Question Isn’t “What Should I Do Today?”
It’s: What’s the one critical thing that’ll move me closer to $$ today?
The Productivity Trap
We hear this phrase all the time:
“Do things that move the needle.”
Sounds great in theory, right?
But when you sit down at your laptop with 18 tabs open and Slack/ WhatsApp pinging in the background… it’s not so clear what that actually means.
What does moving the needle even look like?
As solopreneurs and freelancers, we don’t just need to do stuff.
We need to do the right stuff.
And the “right” thing depends on where you are in your business journey.
That’s what this post is about:
Helping you figure out the most critical, highest-leverage task you can do today.
So your time goes into growth, not busywork.
Stage 1: Idea Stage - Validate the Problem
Your #1 task: Talk to real people. Confirm they actually have the pain you want to solve.
At this stage, too many solopreneurs fall into the “build trap.”
They spend weeks (or months) perfecting an idea, building fancy mockups, and launching a slick website before ever confirming if anyone actually cares.
Here’s the harsh truth:
Your idea is probably wrong.
And that’s not a bad thing.
What matters most here is validation, not of your product, but of the problem.
What to do today:
Identify 5-10 people in your target market. Use LinkedIn, Reddit, Substack communities, or even your personal network.
Ask:
“What’s the most frustrating thing about [problem area]?”
“What have you tried before that didn’t work?”
“How much of a priority is this for you right now?”
Document every word. Look for patterns. Are they solving this with money or time already?
Pro Tip: Don’t pitch. Just listen. People open up more when they don’t feel like they’re being sold to. You’re there to learn, not persuade. DO NOT get too eager to introduce your product, which might not even be the solution to their problem.
Why this matters:
If no one is actively experiencing the pain you’re solving or worse, they don’t care about solving it.
You’re headed for wasted months.
Save yourself the pain.
Validate early.
Stage 2: Early Execution - Build Publicly, Build Fast
Your #1 task: Create a quick prototype or MVP and start talking about it out loud.
Once you’ve validated that a real problem exists and people care about solving it, it’s time to get something out into the world.
Forget “launch day” perfection. It doesn’t exist. Ha!
This stage is about speed, feedback, and iteration.
What to do today:
Build the scrappiest, messiest version of your product that solves the core problem.
Digital product? Create a landing page with a checkout link.
SaaS? Use a Notion doc + email follow-ups.
Coaching? Offer free consults for testimonials.
Share progress publicly:
Post your build thread
Post on LinkedIn, Thread and everywhere you have presence in
Start a Substack or email list in Kit
Invite feedback and ideas
Tools to try:
Carrd - Create simple websites fast
Tally or Notion Form - Forms and surveys
Notion – Organize ideas, SOPs, and content
Loom – Record fast video walkthroughs
Gumroad – Sell digital products easily
Pro Tip: Build in public doesn’t mean oversharing, it means inviting your audience into the process. People love watching creators in motion. It builds trust and anticipation.
Why this matters:
This stage isn’t about polish, it’s about proof.
Proof that people want what you’re offering.
Every day you wait to ship something is a day you’re not learning.
Stage 3: First Sales - Sell Every Day
Your #1 task: Get paid. Nothing else matters.
This is where it gets real.
You’ve validated the problem.
Built a version of your offer.
Now… will someone buy it?
And here’s the thing: sales is a skill and like any skill, you get better by doing it, badly at first.
What to do today:
Post: Share a real, valuable post with a clear CTA (call to action). Example:
“I’ve been talking to freelancers who struggle with pricing. I created a 5-page guide to help you set rates confidently. DM me for access.”
DM: Message 5–10 people who’ve engaged with your content or fit your ideal audience. Make it helpful, not pushy.
Pitch: Offer a free call, mini consult, or audit. Provide value up front.
Refine: Use every “no” or “not now” to tweak your pitch, product, or pricing.
Pro Tip: Create a simple sales tracker. Just a Google Sheet is fine. Track your conversations, wins, objections. You’ll see patterns and unlock what really works.
Why this matters:
If you’re not selling, you’re just playing entrepreneur.
Don’t fall in love with your product.
Fall in love with your customer’s outcomes.
Get in the trenches, sell directly, and iterate fast.
Stage 4: Revenue Stage - Systemize What Works
Your #1 task: Build systems to protect your time, and scale without burnout.
You’ve got traction.
Customers are paying.
You’ve proven demand.
Now you’re likely feeling stretched thin, trying to do everything, all the time.
This is where you move from hustle to leverage.
What to do today:
List every repeating task you do weekly: onboarding, posting content, updating your site, replying to common questions.
Create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures): Use Loom to record yourself doing it once, then document it in a checklist.
Automate: Use tools like Zapier or Make to remove manual steps.
Outsource: Hire a VA or freelancer for low-impact, high-time tasks.
Set boundaries: Block focus time. Say no more often. Protect your creative energy.
Pro Tip: What’s the 80/20 in your business? Double down on the top 20% that brings in the most revenue or value. Kill the rest.
Why this matters:
This is where real businesses are built.
Systems give you freedom.
They let you scale what works while freeing up brain space to innovate, rest, or explore new opportunities.
TL;DR: What Should You Do Today?
One Hard Thing, Every Day
Solopreneurship isn’t about juggling 100 things.
It’s about finding the one hard thing that actually drives growth, and doing it today.
When in doubt, ask yourself:
“What am I avoiding that, if I did it, would move me closer to revenue?”
Chances are… that’s the task worth doing.
Feeling a little clearer on what to tackle today?
Awesome.
Now go do it.
And hey, if this post helped, please consider sharing this post!
Do the most important thing first each day and you'll never have an unproductive day
- James Clear
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Anfernee
As a content creator I used to think being consistent with posting was the most important thing. Now that I’m trying to build a growth SaaS, I see how different the "one hard thing" is at each stage. Validation before scaling is the one that really caught my attention here.
Honored to be included here! Thank you :)