3 Steps to getting your critical tasks complete

If you are like most men and women in the corporate world, then you are extremely lacking in the “time department” when it comes to getting all of your work done.  You are facing multiple projects, all at the same time.  Each one has it's own deadline that seems to be climbing your back on a constant basis.  So how do you manage your work so that you can create more time and get your tasks done, all without the stress of racing the clock?  The answer lies in learning to create a working list and you must know how to properly categorize this list.  In today's article we will discuss the importance of creating a list of your jobs and how to prioritize them for maximum results, and in record time. 

If you want to get ahead in today's fast-paced world then you have got to be conscience of the job that you are doing and when you are doing it.  You have to be aware of knowing what tasks need to be dropped from your plate in order to work on the items that count the most.  And the best way to stay focused is to create your master working list and then back that list with “action”.

The first step that is required is to drop everything from your mind, sit down in a quiet room, and then list down all of the things that you need to do.  Do not hold back with this list.  Write everything down that involves your workload.  Every little detail counts, including telephone calls that you have to make, projects that you wanted to get research on, emails that have not been returned, etc.

Your next step is to take this list of tasks and properly prioritize them.  There are numerous ways in which you can categorize these items.  I personally label four different columns on paper as the A-column, B-column, C-column, and D-column.  My A column are the jobs that are the most urgent and if were left unfinished would result in disastrous consequences.  My B-column would then have the items listed that are equally important, but do not have the same urgency.  My C-column are tasks that I need to get to, but could be put off for a day or two such as emails, phone calls, and favors.  Finally, my D-column are simply items that have no value at all and are time-wasters.  These are things that may eat up my time and could wait until I was home, like doing research on the computer, ordering something online, or chatting with my wife on the phone about what is for dinner.

And finally, the third step is all about action!  All you have to do now is make sure that you are spending your time on those activities that have the most urgency first, and not wavering until the job is completed.  Your other tasks can wait.   You should not move on to your B and C tasks until your A-tasks have been complete.  Keep in mind that there will always be roadblocks that come up that may interfere with your work.  This is a part of life and cannot be helped.  Your job as someone who is properly managing his time is to overcome these obstacles and keep on your most urgent priorities until the job is finished.