“Give me one more priority and I’m going to hurt someone!” Ever had that feeling?
Reread Justin Wright article How to set priorities when your plate is full.
To much on your plate? Get rid of bunch of it.
Warren Buffet’s 5/25 strategy in 15 minutes. How to get rid of 80% “priorities.”
Write down your top 25 “priorities.”
Rank them.
Put check mark beside top 5. These will become your focus. “Must do’s.”
Avoid the other 20 at all costs.
Career Killers
That describes the other 20. Some we feel we should do. Others intrigue us so we spend time on them. They steal attention but won’t get you promoted or increase your salary.
When someone adds to your priority list, remove something else. Always. This was hard concept for me. Why? Because I unknowingly had them in 20 I needed to get rid of. Recognizing that 20 should not be your responsibility. Pass them along.
Tip: Never be bottom of chain of command.
When we keep adding “priorities” we are interrupting team focus. Distracting them. Slowing team down. Demotivating them. Any new priority affects team.
Easy to say “avoid other 20”. How do you do it?
Who and when were each of other 20 assigned? Are they still on anybody’s radar list? Cross off those you can.
Which can and should be done by others? Re-assign them. When you do, tell them what you are doing. Suggest they do the same to their own workload. Help them.
What to do with those that can’t be re-assigned?
Go back to whoever gave each to you. Ask them for help. Tell them you are having difficulty seeing how this benefits the team and company. That reason is very important. Forces them to stop and think. Makes it harder to say ‘just do it.”
Another way to attack priorities: write down 3 things you and team will accomplish this week.
Re-focus. Fight to avoid adding anything else this week. Ask them how priority they added will benefit the company? How more important than 3 already scheduled.. What happens if task does not addressed for couple more weeks.
Many times, we are given “priorities” that have not been thought through Politely asking pointed questions give them opportunity to reflect and back off. Stay on priority not person.
“Why?” My favorite question. Is person really clear on what and why they want this when?
Life is full of priorities. Many are just work, masking as a priority. Calmly but persistently asking “why” slows person asking down. Always ask “why.” Soon people stop coming to you unless they know goal and impact.
We each need to train people, on what and how to approach us with an ask or priority. Likewise fine tune how we respond to avoid putting them on defensive. No one wins when people dig in their heels.
CTA: Identify your 5 most important priorities. Are you working solely on them? If not, why?
End of week, Ask yourself. What are 3 most important things on boss desk? Do this weeks team priorities address them? If so send boss very brief note.
If not, why are they being worked on? Everything we work on should be top of list for your boss. You want recognition and advancement? Work on top issues boss has.
Tell us what works for you and your team?
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Tom Ferree is the founder of Ferree & Associates and SecureEmploy, organizations focused on helping companies find exceptional talent and helping professionals advance their careers. Since founding Ferree & Associates in 1977, Tom has worked extensively with hospitality companies, executives, and rising leaders across the industry. Through SecureEmploy, he shares practical career strategies, leadership insights, and real-world advice to help professionals grow their careers and help organizations build stronger teams.
