Before you do a task, ask these three questions.
The “Alchemist Entrepreneur” relentlessly pursues simple leverage; simple ways to extend his reach, to achieve more with less. Often, this leverage is in his own head.
Here’s a bit of mental toughening that helps me.
Before you start your next task, ask the following three questions:
1. WHAT will I be doing? Meaning, what will be DIFFERENT after I do this task? What will have changed? What will be the results?
2. WHY is that important? What is the direct connection between achieving this result and achieving my big picture strategic goals?
3. HOW LONG will I spend on this task? Personally, I find that some tasks can end up taking a full day if I let them. But if I determine to get them done in a set amount of time, I get them done much faster.
If something will need a long time, break it down into chunks so you can step back, pick your nose up off the grindstone and survey your work.
What do you do to keep improving your own personal productivity? What gets in your way? Will you use these three questions?
Please share your comments below.
Dov
These are really great screening questions Dov. If you follow this advice the quality of what you work on and the results you get will be dramatic.
Keep up the good work! Matthew
For those of us who agree in theory with this, why can some of us sometimes (often?) fail to apply the theory? I “know” this is right. The gap between knowledge/awareness and action can sometimes be difficult to bridge. Why do we sometimes fail to implement what we know?
Hi Brendan,
Great question. Here are some thoughts based on my own experience and observations. Some or all may be relevant:
- As simple as it is, we don’t REALLY believe that it will make a difference. So we don’t do it.
- These kinds of activities aren’t consistent with our self-image.
- We forget that if we don’t make it a HABIT, it won’t happen. Since it’s not pressing on us like those emails, phone calls, etc., we need to make it a priority.
- We are not crystal clear as to what it looks like when we do it. You need to be able to see in your mind’s eye what it looks like when you sit down and before getting caught up into work you actually relax and make the time to ask and answer these questions.
We can go into this further next week on the free Q&A coaching call for Oasis members.
I appreciate your courage in posting this.
Dov
Good Stuff Dov,
It’s interesting. I have spent so much time dedicated to creating processes for qualifying clients and sales calls…I never gave much thought to qualifying tasks.
Jack
Dov
Hi Dov,
As an artist I am very task oriented! thank you for clarifying and shedding a new light on this process. I usually just start with a knowledge of what needs to be done with out really stopping to consider the points you have given. I like looking at each task from the stand point of the bigger picture…beyond just finishing the work, but towards what it will contribute to my career and of course my life as a result!
Also it brings me into the NOW.
Thanks Dov, your reference to this post comes as a timely reminder. I will combine these 3 questions with a countdown timer – anticipating good results. I’m coming from a fairly disorganized method of working due to family distractions, which is improving now.
I agree with your points answering Brendan’s question. In my experience, emotional burdens have created a kind of disconnect, causing the “gap.” When emotional issues are cleared and resolved, the implementation takes place without hesitation. It’s quite interesting.