The Transitive Property of Importance
Why you should—or shouldn’t—care about what they care about
There’s nothing wrong with focusing on what’s important to you. You’re probably helping everyone else out, too.
priorities
When Everything’s Important, Nothing Is
You really can get more done by focusing on less
What’s important needs to stand out. Don’t let things that are unimportant pull you down.
5 Types of Productivity Debt
The further you get behind, the more you have to work to get ahead
Productivity is about doing less of what you have to do so you can do more of what you love. Here are five ways our choices can get in the way of that, creating more “debts” we need to pay off first.
Outcomes Lead to Actions
Start with the results you want, then work out what you need to do to get there
Are you focusing on what you want to do? Or what you want to get done? Focusing on results gives you greater flexibility in how you get things done.
The Right Task at the Wrong Time
Picking the right tasks is half the battle. You also need to work on them at the right time.
Is Your Task List Weighing You Down?
Your plan for the day should bring clarity, not more confusion
It takes a focused effort to keep your task list relevant and useful. It’s a tool that should help you accomplish incredible things, not a burden to weigh you down.
Stop Procrastinating and Enjoy Yourself
Nothing ruins your day like knowing you’re putting off work
Procrastinating makes you miserable because whatever you’re putting off is hanging over you. Get it done and enjoy yourself guilt-free.
The Opportunity Cost of Reading a Book
Reading is good, but it’s not always the best use of your time
Sometimes, the best way to spend your time is to be fully present in the moment. Don’t miss out on the important things in life because you were too busy being busy.
Focus on the Top 20%
Separate what drives results from what takes up your time
How different would your life be if you didn’t spend 80% of your time on things that don’t matter as much as the top 20%? With a little planning and practice, you can spend your time and attention on what matters most.
Priority is an Adjective, not a Noun
What are you going to do first?
When my wife called just after lunch on the day our son would be born, you bet my priorities for the day changed! Everything I was working on went on hold and I walked out of the building without giving it a second thought.