3 Steps to Get Your Most
Important Tasks Complete
If you are like most men and women in the corporate
world, then you are extremely lacking in the “time
department” when it comes to getting all of
your work done. You are facing multiple projects,
all at the same time. Each one has it's own deadline
that seems to be climbing your back on a constant
basis. So how do you manage your work so that you
can create more time and get your tasks done, all
without the stress of racing the clock? The answer
lies in learning to create a working list and you
must know how to properly categorize this list. In
today's article we will discuss the importance of
creating a list of your jobs and how to prioritize
them for maximum results, and in record time.
If you want to get ahead in today's fast-paced world
then you have got to be conscience of the job that
you are doing and when you are doing it. You have
to be aware of knowing what tasks need to be dropped
from your plate in order to work on the items that
count the most. And the best way to stay focused is
to create your master working list and then back that
list with “action”.
The first step that is required is to drop everything
from your mind, sit down in a quiet room, and then
list down all of the things that you need to do. Do
not hold back with this list. Write everything down
that involves your workload. Every little detail counts,
including telephone calls that you have to make, projects
that you wanted to get research on, emails that have
not been returned, etc.
Your next step is to take this list of tasks and
properly prioritize them. There are numerous ways
in which you can categorize these items. I personally
label four different columns on paper as the A-column,
B-column, C-column, and D-column.
My A column are the jobs that are the most urgent
and if were left unfinished would result in disastrous
consequences. My B-column would then have the items
listed that are equally important, but do not have
the same urgency. My C-column are tasks that I need
to get to, but could be put off for a day or two such
as emails, phone calls, and favors. Finally, my D-column
are simply items that have no value at all and are
time-wasters. These are things that may eat up my
time and could wait until I was home, like doing research
on the computer, ordering something online, or chatting
with my wife on the phone about what is for dinner.
And finally, the third step is all about action!
All you have to do now is make sure that you are spending
your time on those activities that have the most urgency
first, and not wavering until the job is completed.
Your other tasks can wait. You should not move on
to your B and C tasks until your A-tasks have been
complete. Keep in mind that there will always be roadblocks
that come up that may interfere with your work. This
is a part of life and cannot be helped. Your job as
someone who is properly managing his time is to overcome
these obstacles and keep on your most urgent priorities
until the job is finished.
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