There’s an important distinction between a Priority List and a To-Do List. One that too many inside salespeople and leaders blur in the rush to stay busy.
Priority
Merriam-Webster defines it as something more important than other things and needing to be done first.
To-Do List
A collection of activities needing attention, without consideration for importance.
Both have their place. The problem comes when we treat every item on a To-Do List as if it holds equal weight. That mistake leaves salespeople overwhelmed and leaders wondering why results aren’t aligning with the effort being spent.
Priorities Aren’t Set in Stone
Another key point: a priority today might not even make the list tomorrow.
Markets shift. Customers go silent. New opportunities pop up. Priorities need to shift, too; they aren’t fixed; they flex.
Look at your current To-Do List. Right now.
Ask yourself:
- What must be completed first to truly move deals forward?
- Which task, if done next, makes the biggest impact?
Choose that one thing. YES one! Focus on it.
When it’s finished, re-evaluate before picking up the next task. Repeat.
That’s how your To-Do List becomes a working Priority List.
Before You Switch Gears
Every day, new “urgent” feeling demands will compete for your attention.
Before you shift, stop and ask:
- Is this new thing more important than what I’m working on right now?
If it is, give it your attention. If not, stay the course.
Prioritization is about moving the right things forward, not being busy.
For the record, I wrote this more as a reminder to myself than for you. I’ll be taking my own advice this week and focus on my priorities over things “to-do.” Then it will be my TA DA list when it all is completed.
What will you be doing?
Lynn