Good morning!
Well, I’ve done it! I finally got completely caught up…said no one, ever!
If you are thinking you’ll be able to say that for real one day, think again. And if you are making that your goal at the start of a workday, re-evaluate your goals.
In his book, Eat That Frog, author Brian Tracy starts off by saying, “You will never catch up. Ever.”
I agree. So, when you are planning your day, make sure you are shooting for productivity and efficiency. Not closure. There is a Don Quixote-like quality to those who are constantly trying to check everything off the list.
Here’s how I do it:
- Have a “one thing, first thing”—this is a task I dread, so I get it out of the way immediately;
- Establish two to three priorities—These are the tasks I will get to hopefully before the squirrels start running across my desk;
- Identify one “If I get nothing else done today, I will do this” task;
- At several points during the day I ask myself this question: “What is the best use of my time right now?” and then do it;
- Consider a day productive and efficient when you have completed the most important tasks on your list. Then…
- Rinse and repeat for the next day.
One last point: While productivity is possible, it is not permanent. There are many factors influencing your time management, including your mood, energy level, and even how well you slept last night. The best you can do is to be prepared for the day, stick to the priorities you’ve identified, and get back on track when—SQUIRREL—a shiny object catches your eye.
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