This is why you need to focus on the singularity of a task and the realization that time is far larger in scope. When you do that, you’ll understand that managing a task is far more manageable than managing time. What will happen is that you end up managing one thing at a time rather than something that is far greater in size. Failing that, remember this: You can master a task, but you cannot master time. (Location 43)
What we need to do is worry about figuring out how to do a great job with the tasks we’re given rather than with the time we’re given. (Location 50)
We have to stop focusing on being ruled by time and have to focus on being ruled by task instead. That’s the only way we can really get ahead and get to the important stuff on our lists. Being ruled by time leaves you dealing with items of urgency. Being ruled by task allows you to deal with items of importance. (Location 56)
Shifting from a Time Mindset to a Task Mindset (Location 59)
The first thing you need to do when making a shift in your mindset like this is to stop focusing on what the end will look like and start focusing on what the next move will look like. (Location 60)
You need to learn how to manage your tasks first, then you’ll be in a far better position to manage your time. (Location 66)
Give yourself an honest self-assessment. Know your habits. Know your strengths. Know your weaknesses. The more you know how you’ll handle working towards a more productive lifestyle, the easier the hurdle will become. (Location 124)
Getting clear on what’s crucial is the most beneficial thing you can do to enhance your productivity, your balance and your life. Doing so could be the productivity wake-up call you need, the jumpstart to getting where you know you can be—and want to be. Moving beyond the word “important” and making a conscious choice to use the word “crucial” will power up your life in a simple, yet profound way. (Location 144)
Perhaps you don’t do this. Perhaps you check email 2–3 times per day, and that’s it. Perhaps you treat email in a way that it allows you to treat your other work better. (Location 259)
Your Email App isn’t a Task Management App (Location 284)
An email app keeps you connected to others but disconnected from your tasks, whereas a task management app disconnects you from others, but—more importantly—connects you to your tasks. (Location 296)
Email Management: Canned Responses to Use (Location 306)
1. Timely follow-up correspondence is needed. 2. No follow-up correspondence needed. 3. No need for the correspondence at all. (Location 309)
Follow-up Email Needed Thank you for your email. I’m glad you reached out to contact me regarding [INSERT SUBJECT HERE]. That said, while I’m interested in what you’ve offered, my time is at a premium these days. I’ll give the matter further thought and will get back to you within the next [X] business days. If you require an answer sooner than that, simply respond to this email and give me a timetable so I can see if I can make something happen on my end. Again, thanks for your email and I look forward to hearing back from you shortly. 2. Follow-up Email Not Needed Thanks for your email regarding [INSERT SUBJECT HERE]. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to give me a heads up on this. Unfortunately, it’s not something that I’m willing to take on at this time as I have other matters that require my attention. Again, thank you for reaching out to me and good luck with [INSERT SUBJECT HERE]. 3. No Need to Respond Yes, deleting an email is a response. Either to you or to the sender, depending on the subject matter. On that note, here’s what you do: Delete it. NOW. (Location 317)
Ideals that I hold must be upheld by pursuing it. Does not interfere with anything else that I am excited about. In fact, it should complement it in some form or another. Excitement about the idea must be lasting. Able to generate direct or passive income. (Location 397)
Exercise Applying the IDEA Criteria Take the first idea that you have written down from the idea brainstorm you did earlier. Now apply the IDEA Criteria to that idea. Then decide if it is an idea that is worth moving on now, later, or not at all. Mark that down next to the idea by using a checkmark to represent moving ahead now, an arrow pointing right to indicate you’ll work on it later, and an “x” next to the ones that aren’t worth moving on at all. (You could actually just cross out those “not at all” ideas altogether — which would be even better — but if you’re not comfortable with that yet, just go with an “x”…for now.) Continue doing this for at least ten ideas on your list. You can keep going until you’ve applied The IDEA Criteria to all of your listed ideas, but do at least ten for now. You can always do the others later.The idea (pun totally intended) here is to build the habit of using the IDEA Criteria for each and every idea you have from now on. (Location 409)
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Exercise The IDEA Calendar You wrote down a virtual ton of ideas during the initial meeting exercise. You then put all of your ideas through the IDEA Criteria. Now it’s time to start scheduling when you plan on making those ideas happen. It’s time to put together an idea calendar. This exercise is where the rubber meets the road. What you need to do now is grab a calendar—or just write down the months of the year on a sheet of paper. Make sure you leave enough room next to the name of the month so that you can put down the idea on paper. Now, write an idea down for 9-10 of the 12 months in the year (it’s important to give yourself 2-3 months of breaks from big ideas so that you can put your best work out there). You are committing to bringing that idea to life in that month (or at least starting the process of bringing it to life). The idea behind the idea calendar is to make sure that you schedule when you’re going to do the bigger picture ideas in your life. You will want to keep this close at hand throughout the year so that you can monitor your progress and make sure that you stick to your committed months. There is no cop-out here. Even if you are completing this exercise outside of the month of January, you can use that sheet of paper method and write down at least 12 months at a time. Then just translate those commitments into the calendar of your choice when the new yearly calendar is needed. (Location 455)
