The more I do, the more is asked of me. How do I stay focused on what really matters?
Maynard Webb
Founder, Webb Investment Network; Author ‘Dear Founder’; Board member Visa and Salesforce.
For the next few weeks, I will be answering a series of questions about how to find the time to do what you love. I frequently receive questions on this topic and there’s nothing more important than finding answer to these questions—and doing more of what matters most.
Q: I get inundated with requests. How to I parse through them and end up doing the ones that are most impactful or important?
-CEO of a mid-stage company with a few hundred employees
Dear CEO,
I know how you feel! It seems that the more you do, the more is asked of you, and you can lose sight of what really matters.
Let me walk you through the system I use. Hopefully it will help you too.
1.????Know your commitments and live up to them. That is what I keep in mind when I start going through the requests.
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-??????Assuming it is one of your prime commitments, determine how urgent this is.
-??????Then decide when you need to address it.
2.????Review the request to examine what you need to do. What are they looking for? Is it a nod of approval, or is this something that requires your judgment, experience, or network?
3.????Can this be handled by someone else? If not, can you teach someone how to do this so in the future you can get it done but off your plate?
4.????Keep different swim lanes moving. It’s your job to try to keep everyone productive and going forward. You don’t want to be the bottle neck. Make sure that everyone requesting a quick answer or approval is getting what they need.
5.????Prioritize what is in the “should do” zone and plan for what it will take to get done. Some things can take two minutes to answer, others require hours of work. Plan time for when you can focus on what needs to be addressed.
6.????This is important: Leave space to explore other things coming in that can be intriguing. Build in time for this kind of serendipity and wonder to take place and be explored.
Every week I respond to a new question. Ask me your question in the comments section.
CEO/CFO @ DARAFEEV (Retired) | Custom Furniture, Craftsmanship #MAGAGA Make America Godly And Great Again!
1 年I will be an hour from Los Gatos next month. Would you have time for a cup of coffee?
I have found that owning less stuff increases the amount of time I have available for priority tasks. Simplifying routine tasks and maintaining a healthy lifestyle gives me the flexibility to respond to the unexpected.
Next Trend Realty LLC./wwwHar.com/Chester-Swanson/agent_cbswan
1 年Thanks for sharing.