Thanks to those who asked to blog again about prioritizing as many of us keep working on how best to do this.
Do you prioritize based on certain criteria? The worth of the task? FIFO or LIFO? (just ask if you do not know what these are). What you like or dislike the most/least?
With the volumes of information hitting us today, prioritizing has become more important to successfully move forward. Part of the ongoing process needs to include knowing when to say no, as much as it goes against our grain. There are times when no is the right answer.
Today it's about making a top 3 priority list with the biggest and most challenging one at the top (Eat That Frog). Once that is out of the way, #2 and #3 seem a lot easier. Maybe it's the early-bird routine of getting out of bed at 5 am, reviewing what's on the plate for the day, prioritizing the top 3 things and then head to the gym for 6:30 workout have made this a habit.
At the office for 8:15 am with the priority list completed, the day organized and scheduled and adjustments made for new information/tasks received.
Interruptions, new incoming information and change of time-frames/deadlines are all reasons to build a flexible schedule, yet sticking to the top 3 priorities to complete them before moving onto anything else, within reason. Yes "emergencies" and other pressing matters will take precedent, however, it is important not to allow everything to become an emergency.
How do you deal with the new tasks and re-prioritizing your day? Please do not share you follow LIFO!
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Great blog Frank! While it is not always easy to stay on track, at the end of each day I try to write down the top 5 priorities for the following day. This allows me to have them top of mind when I come into the office each morning. I often find that we can get caught up in being reactive to emails, phone calls, etc. which of course can change our priorities. I try to set aside specific times for emails (review inbox first thing in the morning, at noon and then end of day) and to block time for phone calls when I can. I think it is important to be flexible and be able to reassess priorities throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteThanks again Frank for the great ideas you share on your blog!
Paul.
Thanks for sharing your process!
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