It may seem like common sense, but many times we forget the best way to manage tasks and solve problems. Here is how I manage my long list of things to do (for work). Each week I write down a list of everything I need to do. This list is not necessarily everything I need to do for the week. This list is everything I need to do, period. Once I have written/typed out my list, I prioritize them.
Here comes the tricky, yet simple part that we often forget: work on the items in list of priority. I find that I am often working on items in the 3rd spot, while items #1 & #2 are un-done. Why, you ask? Maybe #3 is easier. Is this a good reason? NO.
There is a reason we prioritize things! So, once items have been prioritized, we need to stick to the list. If possible, we should stick with a problem/task until it is completed, BEFORE starting a new task. Many people waste a crazy amount of time juggling multiple tasks. In fact, I would venture to say that employee #1, who works on one task at a time, is much more efficient than employee #2, who jumps around from task to task. Why? Think about re-learning. How much time is spent re-learning a task/problem that has not been thought about for a week or more? When I fall into this pit of re-learning, I often find that I spend about as much time re-learning the task/problem, as I originally spent trying to work on the task or solve the problem.
Is this list of tasks static? By no means, no. We can always re-prioritize. But, I also do not believe that we should re-prioritize daily. Many times we succumb to outside pressures and/or influences, false deadlines, etc.... Re-prioritization should only come as a result of an emergency.
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Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.