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Prioritisation often holds the key to progress within your business. It can be the difference between being busy and being genuinely productive.
We've all had days where we've worked like a mad thing all day only to realise as we cook the dinner that we haven't tackled the key task that should have been done that day. Prioritising workload for the day really helps ensure the key tasks get tackled. Some people like to set their priorities the night before whilst others prefer to do it first thing in the morning, but whenever you choose to do it, there are a number of approaches you can take.
We are all different and some of the suggestions will work better than others for you. Pareto analysis has never worked well for me, though it was my old mentor's go-to approach. I use a mixture of methods myself depending on need and you may find yourself doing the same. The most common methods are listed here for you to consider. ABC analysis
This method involves categorizing tasks into three groups: A (high priority), B (medium priority), and C (low priority). This can help you focus on the most critical tasks first.
Urgent vs. Important
This method involves categorizing tasks based on their urgency and importance. Urgent tasks require immediate attention, while important tasks have a longer-term impact on your goals and objectives.
Eisenhower or Priority Matrix
This method involves categorizing tasks into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance, as shown in the diagram below. Tasks are categorized as follows:
Urgent and important (do first)
Important but not urgent (schedule for later)
Urgent but not important (delegate)
Neither urgent nor important (eliminate or delegate).
Weighted scoring
This method involves assigning a score to each task based on factors such as its importance, complexity, and deadline. Tasks with higher scores are prioritized first.
Pareto analysis
This method involves identifying the 20% of tasks that will have the biggest impact on your goals and objectives. These tasks are then prioritized first.
Time blocking
This method involves blocking off specific times on your calendar for certain tasks or projects. This can help you stay focused, prioritise important tasks and avoid distractions.
Value-based prioritization
This method involves prioritizing tasks based on their overall value or impact on your organization or goals.
Ultimately, the best method of prioritizing workload depends on your personal preferences and the specific demands of your job or project. It's important to experiment with different methods to find the one that works best for you. If you are struggling to decide on the best approach, why not book a Power Hour with me and we can discuss the sticking points and come up with a plan that will work.
Remember that delegation of work that is not within your skill set, as well as tasks that take up precious time that you could be using for moving the business forward, can make a massive difference to how quickly you can grow your business. If admin isn't your thing, you can get in touch with me