| "3 things every busy professional should know... | | | | and on right side write 'No deadline'. Now on the |
| But probably doesn't" | | | | top row put 'Has high value' and the bottom row |
| 1. There are only 4 decisions to make with tasks | | | | put 'Has little value'. Then enter everything you |
| and mail | | | | need to do in according too which quadrant it falls |
| Applying the 'One-Touch' rule can easily cut down | | | | into. Of course do the top left first! |
| on clutter as it's a fact that clutter is merely | | | | 3. Over 200 hours a year are lost by the average |
| 'Postponed Decisions'. Try this: Look at each task | | | | business owner |
| in front of you, one-by-one, and make a decision: | | | | Disorganization in the workplace costs on average |
| Delete It: If you don't need to do it, don't! As with | | | | over $3600.00 per employee in lost wages per |
| all 'stuff', ask yourself if it has true value. | | | | year as employees and business owners lose |
| Delegate It: Be clear about deadlines and | | | | time looking for things. Average losses are |
| expectations. Use delegation tools and track | | | | estimated at 1 hour per day. Times that by 5 |
| actions. | | | | days a week, for 48 working weeks, at a |
| Defer It: Create a 'Deferred List' and review | | | | starting salary of $15/hour and you'll see for |
| often. If it has a deadline schedule it in. | | | | yourself how much disorganization can cost a |
| Do It: If you can do it in less than 5 minutes, do it | | | | business. |
| now. Imagine the immediate satisfaction! | | | | It can get worse when you consider a few other |
| 2. 20% of our 'To Do' lists hold 80% of the value, | | | | factors, starting with sick time and illness due to |
| Prioritizing is key | | | | stress, lost customers that lose faith in the |
| I have seen some stressed out professionals | | | | company, poor productivity from overlapping |
| scrambling on last minute deadlines, putting out | | | | tasks, purchasing things you already own, |
| fires and struggling with no clear priorities set. | | | | forgotten invoicing and last minute 'overtime' |
| Spinning wheels on the 80% of tasks that contain | | | | created by poor planning. The costs here can be |
| little or no value can eat up one's energy pretty | | | | enormous depending on the nature of the |
| fast. | | | | business. |
| The simple act of prioritizing tasks on only two | | | | Some signs that a change may be due are: |
| criteria, 'Value' and 'Deadline', can help end this | | | | · Desk cluttered with files and equipment. |
| vicious cycle. Try doing this using the popular | | | | · Procrastination. It's either the fear of failure or |
| concept of the 'Time Matrix'. Simply make a grid | | | | simple indecision. |
| with two columns and two rows on a sheet of | | | | · Being reactive instead of proactive. |
| paper. In the left hand columns right 'Has deadline' | | | | |