You want to prioritise your work but you’re pulled in different directions and have an overflowing list of things to do. Argh! Chaos! Overwhelm!
Let’s tackle that so you can focus on doing the right things, not just ‘doing things’.
You’ve probably heard of the Eisenhower Matrix, which categorises tasks based on whether they’re important or not, and urgent or not. If these kinds of quadrants and approaches resonate with you, great! You’ll find lots of information online to help you prioritise your work.
If you’re looking for alternatives, let me give you one, because the matrix didn’t help me as much as I’d hoped. So I came up with my own system.
Here’s how I prioritise my work before actually getting to work:
Step 1: Do a braindump of everything that’s on your plate.
Get everything out of your head and onto paper so you can see why you feel so overwhelmed and get order into the chaos.
Step 2: Identify where you’re at.
I do this because not every day is the same. Some days are frantic, others are calm. Your energy is different on different days.
You’re not a machine, so here’s a helpful way to identify what is going on:
- Are you in a high pressure situation? For example, the end of the month/quarter/year; other deadlines looming…
Focus on the single most important thing that will help you achieve your immediate goal or output you committed to.
- What do you need to do right now to make things happen?
- What do you need to say no to (e.g. distractions, etc.)?
- Are things urgent but you’re part of a team working together, so it’s not all on you?
When you’re working together on a high pressure task, it’s a similar question, but in addition you need clarity on who does what so there’s neither things being missed nor effort being duplicated.
- What is most important for now?
- What is my most valuable contribution?
- If you’re in a long-term planning situation and you want to prioritise bigger goals instead of specific tasks, ask yourself:
- What’s non-negotiable and will require consistent, sustained focus?
If you can first identify your current situation, as well as where YOU are at with your energy levels, mental and physical health, then the priorities you set can be so much better aligned to what you want to achieve and how you will go about it.
Sure, if you have a deadline five days from now and the best approach is to work 16 hour days, you could do that. But if your energy is already low, you’re feeling worn out and your kids are on a school break, then the ‘just work more’ approach won’t fly.
Take a holistic approach, and give yourself a better chance of success.
Have a great week!
Eva