What’s on First? Get to It!

When’s the last time an email popped into your box asking about your progress on this or that project—and you found yourself saying, yet again, that you haven’t… quite… gotten to it yet.

Stick to your goalAbout three minutes ago? Thought so.

I once had a dream in which I was treading water in a vast ocean, and every project I was working on was floating just out of reach. Every time I reached for one, it bobbed further out. I just couldn’t get to it.

We all have too much to do, but a moment’s reflection will tell you that it isn’t all of equal importance. Getting to those tasks that ARE crucial begins by identifying them and separating them from the herd of ain’t-so-very-flippin’-crucials. Investing that time is one of the keys to increase workplace productivity.

So what’s the one task on your plate at the moment that most needs doing? Then decide what else needs fitting in this week. Put every other goal on hold. Heck, you might even be able to completely let go of some of them.

Make this paring down a part of your complete breakfast every Monday morning—and watch your blood pressure go down as you quickly build a reputation for getting to the things that need doing. Then take the next step and help build a culture in the workplace that focuses on real priorities.

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