Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things. Your ability to plan and organize your work, in advance, so you are always working on your highest 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. Although there is never enough time to do everything, there is always enough time to do the most important things, and to stay with them until they are done right.
Setting Better Priorities
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.
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. You feel a continuous stream of energy and enthusiasm. As you work toward the completion of something that is really important, you feel an increased sense of personal value and inner satisfaction. You experience a sensation of self-mastery and self-control. You feel calm, confident and capable.
Action Exercises
Here are three ideas that you can use, every day, to help you set priorities and to keep you working at your best:
- First, take the time to be clear about your goals and objectives so that the priorities you set are moving you in the direction of something that is of real value to you.
- Second, remember that what counts is not the amount of time that you put in overall; rather, it’s the amount of time that you spend working on high-priority tasks.
- Third, understand that the most important factor in setting priorities is your ability to make wise choices. You are always free to choose to engage in one activity or another. My best selling book Eat That Frog 2nd edition explains the ABCDE method as well as suggests the best ways to implement these ideas.
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.
As a job hunter, there are thousands of things you should be doing.
Here are a few comments on these tasks:
A – Having 2 conversations interviews with a hiring authority each day to discover what your target companies are looking for. Anything to prepare for your target companies is an A task.
B – Making sure your resume and cover letters matches the 12 problems you can solve.
C – Updating your LinkedIn profile, resume, etc once you have 12 versions, each for one of the problems you can solve.
D – Learning how to job hunt. Get a course, read a book. They have done the work for you, just read and follow the instructions. This is Delegating the research necessary on how to job hunt.
E – Meeting friends who are unemployed for coffee. This is not when there are specific times for your job club meetings.
These 21 Job Hunter Success Tips have been adapted from articles by Brian Tracy.
Brian Tracy has over 40 books, CDs, and DVDs to help you meet your personal and professional goals and dreams.
I strongly recommend you listen to one of his CDs.
Start small with a one of the free 21 Success Secrets CD available from Brian Tracy.
There is a wide selection of free CDs available including:
21 Secrets For Success In Business CD’s (all are free)
- 21 Great Ways to Manage Your Time and Double Your Productivity
- The 21 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Money
- 21 Great Ways to Get Paid More and Promoted Faster
- 21 Great Ways to Become an Outstanding Manager
- 21 Great Ways to Hire and Keep the Best People
21 Secrets On Working CD’s (all are free)
- 21 Great Ways to Start and Build Your Own Successful Business
- 21 Great Ways to Get the Job You Really Want
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21 Secrets For The Entrepreneurs (all are free)
21 Secrets Of Love (all are free)
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- 21 Great Ways to Meet and Marry the Man of Your Dreams
21 Secrets Of Living Life To Its Fullest (all are free)
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