Be sure to have your goals determine what activities you spend time on!
Some days, we’re in the zone—energized, sharp, and productive.
Other days, it feels like we’re tripping over our own feet, stuck in a loop of distractions.
Then there are those moments when we start a lot of tasks but finish… not many.
And let’s not forget the days spent crossing off other people’s priorities while our own get sidelined.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting (again) with a different approach. Instead of just leaning on my trusty (but often overwhelming) to-do list, I start by picking a daily focus area—a guiding theme that ties directly to my goals.
It might be connecting with customers, prospecting for new business, fine-tuning training programs, or investing in coaching my team. Whatever it is, I align my tasks for the day to that focus.
Here’s how it works:
- I look at my to-do list through the lens of my priority for the day.
- Tasks that align with the focus area get my attention first!
- Anything new that pops up gets evaluated: Does it fit today’s priority? If yes, it gets handled. If no, it waits its turn.
Sounds simple, right? And that’s the beauty of it—it’s intentionally simple.
By filtering my efforts through this focused approach, I’ve had fewer “busy but not productive” days and more days that feel like real progress toward my goals.
If you’ve been feeling stretched or scattered, give this a try. It’s a refreshingly practical way to reclaim control, sharpen your impact, and, most importantly, move the needle on what matters most.