Stolen thoughts on what to do and how:
Do few things, do the right things, do them well.
Sounds easy, but requires being clear on what is important despite all other seemingly important things going on around us.
Tag: bias for action
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We are likely to defer working a task which is due later than the one that is due now. We put a singular focus on that task to make sure it is done.
While this is good, the focus on the short term can affect long-term goals if we are not careful. What, then, should one do?
Instead of fighting it, we could break the long term goal down into a series of steps, each with a deadline which is close enough to keep us on track. That way, we can leverage the same deadline rush to achieve both short and long-term goals.
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But do not move slow. before moving forward, or implementing change, it is worth taking a moment to consider the perspective of others. How you interpret what others say or do, is also dependent on where you are and your motivations. Thus, if we take a minute to slow down, to appreciate the diverse perspectives from others, we could get a different view of the problem we are trying to solve.
While there is only a limited window of opportunity, our chances of making a positive impact are enhanced when the additional perspectives allow us to address problems early, or identify a solution which is more responsive. Then, having applied our combined minds, we proceed to implement. For it is only through implementation that change happens.
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It is easy to delay ourselves by just one minute. We hit the snooze button on our alarms, or we just need to finish off this one task before we start with the next important task. And that’s how we get delayed, a minute at a time.
What if, instead, we’re merciless with time like the clock is? A minute is a minute is a minute, and once the day is over, minute by minute, we can’t have it back.
When chasing an important deadline, we know that we need to prioritize, and we cut out all non-essential tasks. We make those minutes count. Ironically, by cutting out the non-essential tasks when on the critical path, we create more time for them when we can. That way, we can get both done, a minute at a time.
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The future you has less time than you bargain for. Right now you’re open, and you know you can do it. Later on, you may get additional assignments vying for your time.
Do it now, when you can.
Random Walks 