You’ve got to think about the big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction….Alvin Toffler

Not all tasks are created equal.  Some are more important than others.

We all have only so much time and energy to get things done each day.  Of all the things on our to-do list right now, some are really important, and some really aren’t important.  To make the most of our limited time and energy, it pays to focus on completing the tasks that will make the biggest difference first, before spending time and energy on anything else.

Try implementing the MIT – Most Important Task – philosophy to increase your effectiveness.  An MIT is a critical task that will create the most important results you need to achieve.  Everything else on your to-do list by definition is not critically important, so don’t treat everything on the list equally.  Take time to identify the few tasks that are particularly important, making it easier to focus on achieving them first.   

At the beginning of the day, create a list of two or three MITs, and focus on getting them done as quickly as possible.  David Seah has a form that might be helpful, the “Emergent Task Planner”.  You’ll find a free downloadable .pdf here.

Ask yourself daily, “What are the two or three most important things that I need to do today?”, “What are the things that – if I got them done today – would make a huge difference?”  Write only those tasks on your MIT list and focus on them the first things in the morning.  If you set a goal to have all of your MITs done by 10:00am you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can complete the day’s most important tasks.

Working on your MITs gives you permission to say no to interruptions that aren’t as important as what you are working on.  Try “I’m working to a deadline – I’ll get back to you,” and then be sure that you do. 

The goal is to accomplish your MITs as quickly as possible and have the rest of the day available to handle anything else that comes up.

Wishing you all the best –