Procrastination comes naturally, but if you’re not even prepared for the day, how can you expect to be prepared for your business?

Here are 10 tips to help you plan for tomorrow before finishing today.

1. Pack your briefcase or computer bag for tomorrows appointments. Restock business cards, company literature, writing pens, flashdrives, all the tools you’ll need to handle tomorrow’s tasks.

2. Confirm your meetings. Unconfirmed appointments lead to wasted time and disappointment. Confirm the time AND the place. If the appointment is a telephone call, confirm which of you will be ‘dialing’ the call. When you take a few minutes to confirm your appointments, you’ll put your brand right back on the tip of your customer’s tongue. This small detail will earn you more referral business in the future because you are seen as someone who cares and pays attention.

3. Download driving directions. Use the technology you have on your phone or on your computer to make sure you have both plan A and plan B for arriving to your location on time – which should be 10-15 minutes early to allow for parking and check-in delays.

4. Pick up your dry cleaning. The last thing you want to be pressed for (no pun intended) is being without your favorite outfit when the media calls at the last minute for an interview. Never put your clothes away in your closet unless they are pressed and ready-for-wear.

5. Fill up the gas tank. Having to stop for gas is an excuse that you should never have to use.

6. Pack change for parking and tolls.

7. Charge your phone and other personal devices. Dropped calls are one thing, but a dead battery is no-excuse.

8. Bring along paper copies of the agenda. If the meeting is an interview, bring along an extra copy of your resume. If you’ve already sent over a proposal, it’s a sign of efficiency if you “happen to have” an extra copy so your guest isn’t embarrassed when they are fishing around looking for it.

9. RSVP for events and appointments immediately upon receiving the invitation and put it in your calendar.

10. Write out your note cards to the people you interacted with today and put them in the mailbox. If you put it off, chances are, you’ll never write them. How impressed are you when you receive a card in the mail one or two days after you’ve met someone? Return the moment by mailing your note cards today.

Being prepared will often tip the scales in your favor if your client is choosing between one or another. Show them that not only can you get the job, but you can do the job.