Shelves of books have been written about time management and productivity. Every day, we are told about the latest methods and systems for managing our lives. And we look at them, oh yes we do, because no matter what system we currently use, there has to be something better.
But there’s really one productivity rule you need to know.
It’s a simple rule. Simple to understand, simple to remember, and simple to use.
Follow this rule and you won’t need anything else.
What is this Holy Grail of productivity?
Behold:
“First things first, second things never”.
If you want to be productive, continually ask yourself “What is the most important thing I can do right now?”
And do it.
When it’s done, or you have done as much as you can on that task, ask the question again. “What’s the most important thing I can do right now?”
In this way, you continually focus on your top priority, and you don’t get bogged down in anything else.
Always do the most important thing. When you complete that task, something else will take it’s place as your most important task, and that’s what you should do next.
Don’t worry about the 927 other things on your lists; you can only do one thing at a time.
First things first. (Do what’s most important.) Second things never. (If it’s not first, don’t do it.)
Here a couple of ways to make this rule work better.
- As you look at the universe of things you might do, i.e., all of your lists, notes, calendars, and so on, choose the three “most important tasks” (MITs) for the day. This way, when you complete the first task (“first thing”) you can immediately start on task number two, which will then be your new “first thing”.
- Choose your three MITs the night before, so you can get started on the first task the next morning.
That’s it. First things first, second things never.
One rule to rule them all.
