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available, make a daily "to-be-done list" for working on your high
priority tasks.
Purposes
To make better use of your time, both in terms of devoting
time to high priority activities and avoiding wasting time or
spending your time on less important things.
To be time effective, not necessarily time efficient, by selecting
the best thing to do at this moment from among the infinite
possibilities.
Steps
STEP ONE: Set your priorities. List your major goals for the next
few months. Rate each goal. Ask, "What are the most
important things for me to do?"
At least every month or so, reconsider your philosophy of life, your
purposes in life (see chapter 3), and/or your organization's mission. In
this context, it will also be helpful to think of the important roles you
play, such as son, boyfriend, student, part-time worker, fraternity
member, and Big Brother volunteer. Or, perhaps you are a husband,
father, department head, Bill's best friend, church member, and PTA
membership chairperson. Make a list of major goals you consider
really important to accomplish in each of your roles--at work or school,
in relationships, in organizations, and, of course, in personal growth.
Now, go through the list and rate each goal as being "top" priority,
"second" priority or "low" priority. We can't do everything we'd like to
do. However, we can guard against spending too much time on second
or low priority activities. And we can avoid spending all our time in one
area, e.g. working desperately to be successful in our career while
neglecting our family.
STEP TWO: List what needs to be done this week in order to
reach your top priority goals. Rate each activity.
It is very beneficial to review your situation each week, giving a
few minutes of serious thought to what actually needs to be done to
achieve your goals. Examples: What would be especially appreciated
by loved ones? What would improve my physical or emotional health?
What can I learn that would help me do my work better or improve my
relationships with others? What future problems can I avoid or
prevent? What school or work assignments are due and most
important (see step 5)? What kinds of things could I do that would
really thrill me or inspire me or turn me on... or would leave a legacy
to others? What tasks must be done to successfully achieve my major
goals? You are now translating your major purposes in life--your
aspirations--into concrete actions. You can't do a goal, only actions
that are likely to get you to a goal.
