Prioritizing your work is an extremely important part of being successful. By sorting and organizing your work based on its priority, you will find it easier to finish; you’ll be less likely to procrastinate.
Being clear on what needs to be done and the most efficient order for finishing your tasks is the best way to begin your day. There are several ways you can prioritize your tasks. The way you decide to prioritize is up to you. Everyone works best in a slightly different way. Here are a couple of helpful techniques:
- Prioritize according to the:
· due date/deadline;
· biggest return on investment;
· weight of importance;
· implications/impacts/consequences of delaying (to yourself or others)
· easiest to implement;
· length of time estimated it will take to complete;
· resources needed and their availability;
· what you’re most passionate about; or,
· rank order of importance.
- Do a brain dump the night before and list everything you need to accomplish the next day. Review any paperwork, emails and future deadlines and add any additional items to your list.
- Start by clearing your mail, emails and your desktop then work with a fresh start.
- Complete first things first (a.k.a., Stephen Covey’s four quadrants: Urgent & Important (crying baby, ringing telephone, heart attack, fire, and other things you have to deal with); Urgent & Unimportant (most interruptions and distractions); Not Urgent & Important (planning, exercise, rest, and other things that are important for your success and well-being); Non-Urgent & Unimportant (time wasting, addictions and other senseless activities)
- Begin with a short to-do list of items you want/need to get done and can realistically accomplish in a day. Once you finish that list, add more items, moving to the next day any that you do not finish. (Be sure to break larger tasks into do-able bites)
- Re-adjust priorities during the day as needed to remain focused on your top priorities.
- Start! When your plate is full and may seem daunting or overwhelming, the important key is to get started. You can start small and move along as you complete each project; start with whatever is bothering you the most; or start with the first thing you see.
- When someone else gives you work, ask about his/her priority level.
Failing to prioritize your work load usually results in being extremely inefficient, ineffective, unproductive, and extremely stressed out. Prioritizing at work is usually a constant juggling and re-balancing act. Unfortunately, you probably cannot predict which tasks will be assigned, but if you adopt some of the techniques listed above you will be able to more masterfully create your own system of prioritization.
How many times have you thought to yourself or said out loud: "I have so much to do today, how am I ever going to get it all done?"
What are the techniques that have worked for you??
The Priority Pro helps busy professionals gain clarity, focus and direction so they can accomplish more of what matters most.






