Time is the one thing that we all have the same amount of every day and time, when lost or wasted, can never be replaced. Don’t waste your time or anyone else’s time.
Let’s take a look at some facts about getting stuff done.
- What you do is more important than how you do it.
- 80% of your results come from 20% of your effort (time).
- The goal is maximum income from minimal necessary effort.
- Playing like you are busy is not productive
- Be more selective about what you do, do less, and be more productive. Take an honest look at how much time you spend texting and Facebooking. Is this productive? Is it moving you towards your dream life?
- Lack of time is simply a lack of priorities.
- Limit the amount of things you actually do. Focus on the most important ones.
If someone ordered you to “Stop doing 80% of what you’re doing!” what would you quit doing? What are your big time wasters? For example, watching television, playing video games, or just hanging out could be your big time wasters.
To be productive, try to never have more than 1-2 tasks to get done each day. Do not multitask (doing more than one thing at a time) because it is very inefficient. For example, it’s not effective to talk on the phone while you are doing your homework. Do one thing start to finish then move on to the next. This will save you time and you will accomplish more!
Now, let’s look at how you can get stuff done using a 3 step process.
The three steps we will look at include:
- Brainstorming
- Prioritizing
- Creating a Visual
Step 1: Brainstorm
Go somewhere different to brainstorm. Get out of the house and find someplace where you will not be distracted. You could go to the park, beach, coffee shop, or backyard. Turn off your cell phone and do a brain dump. Create a list as long as possible of all the things you want to get done with, either for school and your business and your life. Things you could have on your list include: Getting on the honor roll, getting your GED, going to vocational school/college, being a role model for kids, volunteering, reconciling with a friend or family member, developing a website, creating a blog, and so on. Do this for at least 30 minutes.
Don’t judge or analyze anything you write down because it will stop your creative flow. When you are finished, WALK AWAY. On the next day, (or at least wait several hours) move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Prioritize
You should begin this step after you have waited 24 hours or at least several hours after you complete your brainstorm list. Now you will prioritize every idea on your brainstorm list rating it 1, 2, or 3 on the right side of each row or crossing the item off of your list.
- “1” for a high priority item. It needs to be finished in 30 days.
- “2” for a medium priority item. It is still important, but can take 30-90 days to complete.
- “3” for a low priority item. It should get completed, but it may take a year or two. Finishing it is not a big deal.
- Cross off any items that aren’t a 1, 2, or 3.
Step 3: Create a Visual
Remember not to assign more than one or two tasks per day. Your goal is success and completion, and if you feel successful you will keep going. If you get behind, you may feel discouraged and quit. Be realistic with how much time you have to get this stuff done. Create three columns on a piece of paper:
- “What” Column. List all of your high priority items from your brainstorm list (your #1s).
- “Who” Column. Who is responsible for getting the task finished? Unless you have others who are helping you, it is YOU.
- “When” Column. The date you will finish the task. Pick a date that gives you a little extra time because it is important to finish it by the date you commit to completing it. This is the most important step because it is the ACTION step. Be realistic in deciding when the task is to be completed by looking at everything else you have going on in your life.
Each of us is taking action every moment of every day. Sometimes your actions will propel you forward with completing the items you have identified as high priorities in your life. Other times, your actions will hold you back from truly getting what you want out of life.
You can use this exercise to prioritize your most important projects, then do this exercise again for each project you have to complete. It may take a few extra minutes initially, but in the end it will save you a lot of time.
