3 Ways to Work on the Most Important Things

Enhance your focus on the Most Important Things (MITs)

Just yesterday I was working with a client who'd seen our Time Management DVD, and asked, "How do make sure you work on the most important things every day?"

It's a great question, and before I share my own ideas, I ask you to think to yourself: "How can I work on something really important (professional OR personal) before the sun goes down today?"

Ok, here are some of the things I recommend:

1) Turn off your computer monitor, and set an alarm to work on one "file" for 15 minutes. Read, write or plan until the alarm tells you 15 minutes have passed. Before you go on to to something else, decide what "next" would be and write that down on your "to do" list.

2) At the end of the day, write 3 specific projects you want to work on the next day. Put that paper with your car keys or wallet - look at it before you leave for work, and decide: Yes or No! If YES: Set yourself up for success. Leave those materials on your desk, and image-in yourself working on them the next day. (If NO, then choose something else to fill out your "top 3" list!)

3) Ask someone to watch you work for an hour. Don't talk them, and don't do anything differently - just respond to e-mails, file papers, write notes...do what you normally do. At the end, ask them to tell you what they saw. How did you stay focused, and where did you lose focus? Having someone watch me work gives an insight into HOW I am getting things done; not simply what I do during any 8, 10, 15 hour time period.