Leadership Tip

How to get things done

A to-do list can help you stay organised and focused, but it can also become overwhelming when it gets too long and you’re not sure what to tackle next. Try keeping three lists - and a calendar. To start off, think about all of the tasks assigned to you. Which of them truly have to get done (chances are, some don’t)? And which are truly urgent?

  1. On the first to-do list, write down your projects that are important but aren’t time-sensitive.
  2. On the second, write the things that are important and need to get done today.
  3. The third list is a not-to-do list, to remind you which things aren't worth your time and which can be done by someone else.
  4. Then use the calendar to block out time for each important task according to its deadline.
  5. Once you get control of your priorities, you'll feel liberated to focus on what really matters to you.

The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme and adapted from Taming the Epic To-Do List by Allison Rimm. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please join us on our next complimentary webinar or contact us.

Subscribe

Free weekly email on things you didn't know last week with links to articles on leadership excellence. To view previous editions click here.


Learn how to lead effectively

Gleaned from wisdom acquired by working with hundreds of highly successful leaders from the world of business, media and sport, our workshops are fortified with practical tips to help you better lead yourself, your team and your business.

Read More

Leadership Articles

10 steps to happiness in the workplace

To achieve greater happiness at work, you don't need your boss to stop calling you at night. You don't need to make more money. You don't need to follow your dream of being a sommelier, or running a B&B in the Cotswolds. The biggest obstacle to... read more

10 ways to boost your resilience

Resilience is about being able to cope with tough situations and bounce back from difficult experiences. It can help us better deal with traumatic events or times of considerable stress. It doesn’t mean we’ll never face problems again or that we’ll be... read more

10 remarkable habits to instantly spark a relationship with anyone

The secret of success in business and in life is to build strong relationships with others. The faster you build them, the more success you will find. Success in business - and in life - is all about building relationships and trust. When you're in... read more

Leadership Tips

How to attract the best talent

Talented people used to want high salaries and stable career paths, but now they want work with purpose. From providing volunteering opportunities to offering tailored development training packages, there are plenty of non-financial ways to attract the... read more

How to create an innovation network

Innovation networks support continuous improvement, the idea management, and the innovation management of a company. Organisations get it wrong when they rely on only a few people to come up with all the new ideas. Instead, they should connect many... read more

How to build your credibility

Leading people who used to be your peers is tough. You need to establish your authority without acting like the promotion's gone to your head. Credible leaders attract enthusiastic and committed followers, and people want to work for them.... read more