Your Busiest Weeks Aren't Your Best Weeks
Last week a client came back from a long weekend trip and had a “first-day-back-do-I regret-taking-time-off” stressball moment. He had that ‘feeling’ of having a week's worth of catching up to do.
The first thing we do when we connect is update on the priorities for the week.
He named his three, clear and concise.
That told me his head was much clearer than he was letting on, or that he might have thought himself.
Sometimes we feel like we should have a lot to do because we are used to having a lot to do.
Six months ago, his list would've been 20 tasks.
But a founder knows what's actually moving the needle, they don’t carry a long task list.
Early on, everything actually was yours to do.
It's what you had to do to make the business work.
More tasks, more effort, more hours.
Your nervous system learned to equate busyness with productivity.
And that's the trap.
The task list keeps you in producer mode. If you get locked in on tasks, you're training yourself to stay the doer.
A leader should be carrying the short list, maybe 1-3 things, that are the priorities that matter most right now. Those are the objectives that are used to filter everything else with.
"What do I need to accomplish this week to meet the objectives?"
A question like that makes sure whatever is occupying your head and calendar space are aligned with your priorities, which are aligned with your business goals.
Without that, your weeks fill up on their own. You'll stay busy. You'll check boxes.
But on Friday you'll wonder why it felt like you didn't get anywhere.
Don't build a task list this week.
Think in terms of outcomes.
What needs to be accomplished at the end of this week for you to be on target for your monthly or quarterly goals?
Those are your priorities.
Write down your top three priorities in one sentence each.
The task list fills itself in once you know the direction.
And if you want to extend and go further into the topic of planning your week as a leader, check out my post on recognizing and preparing for leadership opportunities and intentions.