Course of the Month
Time Management & Priority Setting

(Simple but effective method of prioritizing tasks and handling them by Brian Tracy, author of Eat That Frog! Excerpt from the ABCDE Method for Setting Priorities)

Efficiency is doing things right.

Effectiveness is doing the right things. Your ability to plan and organize work, in advance, so you are always working on your hightest value tasks determines your success as much as any other factor.

The ABCDE Method for Priorities
The process of setting short-term priorities begins with a pad of paper and a pen. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by too many things to do and too little time in which to do them, sit down, take a deep breath, and list all those tasks you need to accomplish. The best method for setting priorities on your list, once you have determined your major goals or objectives, is the A-B-C-D-E method. You place one of those letters in the margin before each of the tasks on your list before you begin.
 

“A” stands for “very important;” something you must do. There can be serious negative consequences if you don’t do it.

“B” stands for “important;” something you should do. This is not as important as your ‘A’ tasks. There are only minor negative consequences if it is not completed.

“C” stands for things that are “nice to do;” but which are not as important as ‘A’ or ‘B,’ tasks. There are no negative consequences for not completing it.

“D” stands for “delegate.” You can assign this task to someone else who can do the job instead of you.

“E” stands for “eliminate, whenever possible.” You should eliminate every single activity you possibly can, to free up your time.

When you use the A-B-C-D-E method, you can very easily sort out what is important and unimportant. This then will focus your time and attention on those items on your list that are most essential for you to do.

Eat That Frog! and stop procrastinating!

Just Say No
Once you can clearly determine the one or two things that you should be doing, above all others, just say no to all diversions and distractions and focus single-mindedly on accomplishing those priorities.

Much stress that you experience in your work life comes from working on low-priority tasks. The amazing discovery is that as soon as you start working on your highest-value activity, all your stress disappears.

Resolve today to set clear priorities in every area of your life, and always choose the activities that will assure you the greatest health, happiness and prosperity in the long term.

Books We Love -
Extreme Productivity

Peter F. Drucker

Paul J. Meyer

A strategic plan is your road map for implementing and achieving your vision clarifying your long‑term goals and the steps necessary to attain them over the next two to five years. It is not a set‑it‑and‑forget‑it exercise. Your strategic plan needs to be revised and adjusted regularly.

This evaluation is an opportunity to take a step back, assess and evaluate the state of your business and industry, and re‑align your vision, goals, priorities and action plan.

When reviewing your strategic plan, your management team should take the following steps:

• Ensure your company’s projects and activities are still aligned to your vision, strategy and objectives;
• Review both internal and external factors that may require changes to your strategy or affect your ability to achieve your objectives; and
• Identify potential scenarios and develop contingency plans to help you stay on track.

Reviewing your strategic plan regularly will help you:

• Revise/re‑align the purpose of your company and set realistic goals
• Adapt quickly to a changing environment
• Better overcome short‑term problems
• Become more forward‑thinking and visionary
• Measure your progress and find ways to improve
• Increase productivity by ensuring that employees know where they're going and what's expected of them
• Capitalize on your strengths
• Overcome your weaknesses
• Take advantage of business opportunities
• Defend against threats to your organization

Strategic planning is essential. It provides an in‑depth look at how your business operates and helps you define your vision and mission and generate a plan for achieving your goals over the mid‑ to long‑term.

This excerpt is from an article compliments of BDOC - Business Development Bank of Canada.

Paul Gauguin