by Miami Phillips
There are two ways to start your day.
The first is to dive in; tackling whatever is in front of you. You might check your emails. This is an interesting beginning as it is always possible something fun and new came in since you last looked.
Email is fun! And of course - it is important! But then you come up for air after working in answering some emails, following through on some links (weren’t those sites fascinating?) and figuring out how you can use the information you just overloaded yourself with. You look at the time - and its noon. Where did the time go?
Let’s look at method #2 to begin your day. The most important thing to remember is that this day is a gift. Choose carefully what to do with it as you only get a choice once a day. Why not do the important -but-not urgent tasks first? Completing these tasks will provide success for you as you have defined it.However, if you do not prioritize and do these tasks first, you will almost certainly fail to do them. Here is how.
What is an alternative method of beginning your day? Remember that this day is a gift to you. You can choose what to do with it, but you only get it once. What if we do the important -but-not urgent tasks first? These are the tasks that will advance your life goals. Prioritize and complete these tasks first and you will almost certainly complete them. Here is how.
2. At the beginning of each day, look at your weekly goals. What will you accomplish today to advance your weekly goal? List this (these) tasks.
3. Every single day, pull out your weekly goals. Define what you will get done today that will advance your weekly goal. List each task.
You have spent 30-45 minutes of your day. You have gathered up the information required to plan your day, you know what you have to do, and are already planning it in your mind. You don’t have to worry about forgetting something important.
4. On a clean sheet of paper, or index cards, prioritize 10 -15 things you intend to accomplish before the end of the day. Be realistic. You will not be able to do much more than this. From the 10-15 highlight 4 or 5 items that are important-but-not urgent and critical to your long term goals. Prioritize these items first, and then follow with the remaining items in some sort of order. Put an estimated time to complete each item beside it. At the end of the day, your review of what got done and the actual time it took will be a great education and experience for future planning. With practice, this skill will serve you well.
5. Now do one of your highlighted tasks, preferably one you enjoy.
How much time would all this take? Maybe 90 minutes! And - you have completed a step towards your 3-5 year plan. (What would a constant daily step towards your goal will produce?) You know what else you must do today, and you know where it will lead.
Why not do the important-but-not urgent items every day? One sure result is you will find less urgent items surprising you. Another result will be the feeling and knowledge of achievement. And this will be encouragement for you to continue to strengthen your skills in this area.
Which way will you begin your day tomorrow?
About the Author
Miami Phillips has added greatly to the ability of business owners to build powerful businesses. His online video course “Small Business Strategies for Small Business Owners” is available at: http://www.smallbusinessexpertise.com