Do not get me wrong; I am not talking about rare business insights that can bring complex concepts into focus and help you elevate your game. I’m referring to individual methods that provide marginal improvement at best.
To be able to manage your time and prioritize your work, you must learn. Spending hours studying how each brother does it is just a waste.
I recommend that you find a logical structure that works for your needs and follow it. Once you have that, you can return to making money. This could be anything, from developing and marketing products to performing services for customers to advancing your career.
Long ago, the way of prioritizing that’s so simple, so logical, so helpful, so obvious; it makes wonder why everyone doesn’t just get off the whole dumb personal-productivity and time-management bandwagon and get back to work.
This system has helped me to stay focused and productive while keeping me from engaging in wasteful activities that could marginalize even the most hardworking and goal-oriented employees.
Here’s how it works. It’s as simple as this:
Priority A – Critical items. You can’t do anything that needs to be done immediately, or you risk losing something significant.
Priority B – Business, as usual, you need to know to achieve your short-term and long-term career and business goals.
Priority C: Everything else.Busy work, organizing and wants (as opposed to needs), nice to hassle, and having fun (95% of what is done online).
Except Priority A interrupts, which occasionally occur, all my time is spent on B-list activities. However, they always rise to the top. I do not start working on C-list tasks until all of the B work is completed. This, for the most part, is never.
That’s the beauty and the charm of the system. It is unlikely that you will ever reach the Priority C tasks. You are required to be clear about your goals. Anything that does not help you achieve them will be pushed to C.
I should probably admit that there are many things I consider Priority B, even though they may not be obvious. Activities like schmoozing and networking, meeting with customers and stakeholders face to face, and managing by walking around have always been crucial to me in achieving my business and career goals.
Everything else I forget about. The funny thing is that you don’t forget about the C stuff. Nobody ever does.
This system will ensure that mission-critical work gets completed promptly. If you’re an overachiever who works hard, it may take longer hours to accomplish your goals. This is part of the deal. There’s always tomorrow, even if it’s not critical (Priority 1)
It is essential to mention that Priority A interrupts should not consume more than 25% of your time. If you are not, you may be not managing, planning, or organizing well. No one is ever produced in constant interruption mode.
Over few years ago in engineering, sales, marketing, executive management, and running my management-consulting firm, that’s the way done things, and it’s always worked out fine. I’ve been a successful professional with a track record of meeting all my obligations and delivering on my promises.
Most importantly, I feel satisfied when I’m finished with the day. I don’t feel anxious or stressed about not completing tasks because I know I’ve prioritized them and done my best. Priority C work is something I never do. I’d rather have fun and go outside than do that.
