Many entrepreneurs are Type-A, and many Type-A personalities have a lifelong love affair with making lists. They love reading about lists, too, which is why the popularity of “listicles” (cue: groan-inducing response to overused jargon) made these organized types cheer with joy. Lists incite motivation, inspiration, and give you a feeling of success when you tick off yet another pesky item. However, “list management” is a very real skillset few people know about—and even fewer talk about.

It might not sound like the most exciting skill in the world, but list management is one skill that will serve an entrepreneur well. It’s easy for even the most “on top of it” person to get overwhelmed when starting a business. Whether you prefer to manage your lists on Evernote, Excel, old school pen and paper or a favorite phone app, make sure you choose a strategy that works with your new busy lifestyle. Figure out when you need to make a new list, what should be added, and promote a means of prioritizing your tasks in a triage format.

When it comes to the actual types of lists that should be made, these won’t all work for all entrepreneurs—but they’re certainly worth considering.

  • Possible investors: This should be an ongoing, constantly updated spreadsheet. Make a note of investors, all possible contact information you may have, what their key interests are, if you’ve approached them before and their response, and a timeline to approach them again.
  • Possible partners: If you’re in the market for a partner(s), or think you may be, keep this list handy. Any time you meet someone who has “partner possibility,” get their contact information and add them. Even if you’re not actively looking, passive recruiting will work for you for both HR managers and startup founders.
  • Journalists: This is actually two lists and includes journalists you’ve connected with and those you want to make a connection with you. When it comes to press releases, interviews, getting coverage for launches and everything else, it’s really who you know that matters. Journalists get bombarded with “cold calls” and if you nurture these relationships, you’ll move to the front of the line.
  • Your current investors’/advisors’ skills: Even if you don’t have “a lot” of investors or advisors, it’s easy to lose track of their skillsets. Which one has a connection with a certain media outlet in a specific town? Which one used to own an SEO agency? This is a simple list to update, and make sure you do so after every communication.
  • Blog post ideas: Hopefully you have a professional blog either attached to your business or your professional online image. It can be tough to think of new topics on a regular basis. Keep an ongoing list and you’ll be able to get right down to writing instead of mulling over topics.
  • Books to read: You always hear about the next great book for entrepreneurs, but when you’re binge shopping on Amazon you can never remember. This is one of the most fun lists to keep, which should make it an easy habit to adopt. Keep note of the title, author, who recommended it and why. If a potential investor, partner or the like recommended it, prioritize it and use it as a means of following up with them later.

Lists can be a great way to stay on track, make the most of your time, and make sure you don’t miss out on any opportunities. What are your must-have lists as an entrepreneur?