Ever wondered how to stay on top of your never-ending to-do list?
You’re not alone. When I sit down with leaders, one of the first questions I ask is, “How do you manage your tasks?” And let me tell you, the responses are as varied as they come.
From the good old pen and paper aficionados to tech-savvy app enthusiasts, there are so many ways and tools to keep track of all the things we have to do. But the best answer I got a few years ago was the ‘Palm Pilot’ method.
I was surprised as I thought the Palm Pilot was not used anymore. ‘Cyril, what I mean by Palm Pilot is that when I have something important to do, I write it in the palm of my hand to avoid forgetting it’.
Bonjour, in this video, I want to share three simple things to help you navigate your tasks more effectively.
Now, amidst the sea of task management tools, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters—the process. So, here’s a simple three-step process to help you navigate the task management maze: Capture, Triage, Prioritise.
Capture: Picture this—you’re knee-deep in work when suddenly, an urgent task pops into your head. What do you do? Simple. Capture it. Whether it’s jotting it down on paper or typing it into your phone, the goal is to get it out of your head and onto a list, pronto.
Triage: Now, here’s where the magic happens. Triage isn’t just a fancy word; it’s a game-changing process. Twice a day, take a peek at your capture tool and tackle anything that’ll take two minutes or less. The rest? Pop ’em onto your master to-do list for later.
Prioritise: Ah, the crème de la crème of task management. This is where you take charge of your list and make some tough decisions. Set aside time—maybe once a week—to review your to-do’s, categorise them, and slot ’em into your calendar. Remember, prioritising is key. Focus on those big rocks first!
And here’s the kicker: you don’t need a fancy app or a high-tech gadget to master this process. Stick with what works for you—whether it’s a trusty pen and paper or a simple Excel spreadsheet like mine.
So, my questions for you is this: Are you fixated on finding the perfect tool, or are you ready to master the process?
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
As always, wishing you a day filled with productivity and purpose.
Until next time!
A bientôt,
Cyril
