How do you prioritize your different tasks?

[Tabs]

Not to bash multitasking but can you give me examples of how you prioritize? I have a million and one things to do (gross exaggeration, it just feels like a million things) and get so overwhelmed and don't know where to start. If I try to do it all, it feels like I am getting nowhere, I even stopped watching TV, (okay reduced watching TV)…

How do you prioritize your different tasks?

Suggestions Please...

[Ree]

Hi Tabs,

I prioritize my tasks according to their relationship to my goals. Some tasks are directly related to the furtherance of my goals and those I do first. Second are those tasks which are indirectly related to the accomplishment of my goals. Thirdly are those which have no direct relationship to my goals.

For example working directly on a project relates directly to my goal of operating my business for the purpose of making money, so if I have pending projects I work on those first. After that I might do an inventory of supplies, because that relates to my being able to complete projects, but is not work that directly accomplishes a project. It is indirectly related.

Other tasks might include running errands such as dry cleaning, groceries, etc., which are necessary but do not relate directly to my stated goal. I do these when everything else is caught up.

This is definitely over-simplified but you get the idea.

[verbors]

Well it depends on what tasks you are talking about. Whether you are talking about "walk the dog" tasks or "write a report" tasks.

For "walk the dog" tasks, it shouldn't be too hard. Take a leaf out of Steve Pavlina's book and do whatever task that can be completed with the time available. Naturally, you should do what is important. If you have no idea which one is more important then just do it in the way your to-do list is ordered. Another thing you can do is choose the one that take the longest/hardest to do.

For "write a report" tasks it's mostly the same. Just cut everything out of your to-do list until you get only three most important left. Just do the three tasks today. Tomorrow, go back to your original and do that again. If you have no idea which one is more important just do the first three on your list.

P.S If you have no idea which task to do, it doesn't really matter. Just randomly pick one. If you have no idea which task to do, none of them should be urgent so don't stress over which task to do first, just get over and done with the tasks.

[Thomas]

For a more systematic, formalized (yet without a lot of must-do rules) approach look into GTD by David Allen. It includes a lot of the ideas discussed in this thread, including a stock taking at the beginning (the general direction is to create zero overwhelm and a mind without distraction by open loops).

A very short summary of what I think would be the best approach to prioritizing is to make sure you have clear purpose, values and goals. For finding your purpose quickly, Steve has written a very good article. As for values, there's another one, which takes a bit longer though (especially if you create an ordered list). As for goals, they derive from your purpose.

Obviously it's not as simple as saying my purpose is A, my goals therefore are x, y and z, and then focus only on those goals. Shutting out goals that aren't directly derived from your purpose isn't always and everywhere a viable (or good) option. However, the more closely your goals are aligned with your purpose (and values as well) the easier you'll be able to work on them, because the more passionate you'll be about them.

[maxdof]

Originally Posted by Tabs

Not to bash multitasking but can you give me examples of how you prioritize? I have a million and one things to do (gross exaggeration, it just feels like a million things) and get so overwhelmed and don't know where to start. If I try to do it all, it feels like I am getting nowhere, I even stopped watching TV, (okay reduced watching TV)…

How do you prioritize your different tasks?

Suggestions Please...

Read GTD
Getting Things Done - Wikipédia

[dannielo]

Just like other people say, tasks can be prioritized only according to their relationship to your goals. You can use at least 3 priorities:
Priority 1. Things that are very important and you cannot possibly succeed without.
Priority 2. Things that are important
Priority 3. Things that are pleasurable to do, but not so important

For example, if you build a car (the goal), the only priority 1 things would be the engine, tires, transmission, brakes, steering wheel, and pedals. You can finish these and still call it a car.

Priority 2 items would be the doors, windshield, air conditioning, and radio because you can get around without those things. The core functionality of the automobile exists without them.

[Key2Wealth]

I use the system that Stephen Covey teaches "What Matters Most". Stephen teaches how to organize your tasks in a way that will help you achieve your goals. This system splits all your tasks into 4 different areas, from important and has to be done now to not important and does not need to be done now or probably ever.

I have found this system works very well for me and I have been using it for quite a few years now. You can even purchase a daytimer from Franklin Covey that is set up to help you accomplish these goals.

Lee Stuckey

[maxdof]

You [dannielo] are describing the 3rd generation of time management, there are four, each new generation uses the previous one, and is an improvement of all,

in a few words, the 1st one is notes and checklists, the second generation of time management is calendar and appointments books, the 3rd adds
- the important idea of prioritization,
- clarifying values and comparing the worth of each activities comparing to those values.
- it focuses on setting goals, toward time and energy would be directed in harmony with these values.
- daily planning and specific plans

It works good but people feel too scheduled.

There is a fourth generation than rather than focusing on time, focuses on preversing and enhancing relationships and on accomplishing results.

More explanations here:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Information Professionals, Part 5
seven habits quadrant time management matrix - Recherche Google

I didn't invent that and am just repeating The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


On the Getting Things Done - Wikipédia point of view which proposes a 3rd generation time management solution, after implementing the GTD system in your life, GTD proposes:

"The Four-Criteria Model for
Choosing Actions in the Moment
Remember that you make your action choices based on the fol-
lowing four criteria, in order:
1 | Context
2 | Time available
3 | Energy available
4 | Priority
"

gtd context time energy priority - Google Search

I think you would prefer to start with a 3rd generation (or maybe 2nd?) time management system, before rapidly evolving, what do you think?