I’m a list maker and list checker. Each day I often have more on the list to do than actually gets done. Things always take longer than you expect. Last week I consistently had days where less than half of the things I had on my list got done. It was so bad that a few times all I had to do to prepare for the next day is scratch off “Tuesday” at the top and write “Wednesday.”
But were my days unproductive? If quantity of tasks completed is the definition of productive, then yes, they were very unproductive. But that’s not my definition, and it shouldn’t be yours either.
A good day is when you work on a project which impacts your business positively far into the future. If the positive impact lasts only for a day, then it’s not very important. If it lasts a week, that’s better, but it will still need re-doing soon. If the positive effect from your project lasts for a few months, or a few years, or indefinitely – now you’re talking!
So I found last week that many of my days I only got to two things – but I spent hours on those few things each day because they were “legacy projects.” Even though I had a lot of stuff left undone, I know I accomplished something worthwhile with these key projects and their lasting impact.
What are the key projects you need to get done to make many tomorrows better at your company? Focus your attention on them, even if you have to leave much other stuff undone.
Hey Larry, when’s the next Music piece coming out? I Love all of the others and listen to them with my kids! I also Love both think dailys and take screen shots of them and lately the breaks in the paragraphs fit my phone screen – coincidence ?
Such a great reminder and a great encouragement when the list is always longer then the hours.
Yes, Focus, Legacy.
Thanks for this message today.