Bias for action. Gets things done. Go-getter. Traits companies big and small look for. And for good reason, you're being hired to do things! However, action is a secondary step that often overshadows the primary step, direction. Clear direction is the foundation that enables our actions to takeoff. Without it, we're stuck in the mud. Striving for clarity is an underrated skill. Having the courage to ask ( seemingly ) obvious questions, and to check in, making sure we're all on the same page. "O bvious " questions are a low risk, high reward way to add value. At worst, you'll add confidence to our actions. At best, you discover a misalignment that saves us from a dead-end. The more people, the more clear we need to be. The bigger the initiative, the bigger the risk of reaching the finish line, only to realize expectations were off. Success is always uncertain. But we can be certain about what we want and what everyone's job is. Things that can be clea
The alarm is ringing. A deadline is coming up. Or worse, has already passed. Gasp. We're out of time. We must act quickly and get things done, right? Not necessarily.
Urgency is often mistaken for importance. If what's due (or overdue) is unimportant, then who cares? Maybe it's part of an already scrapped plan. Maybe it should've never been committed to in the first place. Whatever the case, to effectively manage our days, we need to get clear on our priorities.
There are endless opportunities and problems; ideas and complaints. But there's only so much sand in our hourglass.
Urgency is a factor to consider, but it's unhelpful on its own. We need to pair importance. If something is important and urgent. Do it! Stop reading this and do it now!
But if it's urgent but not important, then why bother? Seriously, why would you do something that is not important?
For things that are important but not urgent, schedule them. Have a plan so you don't turn it into an emergency.
It's not always easy define and align on importance. Folks can have different views. Explain your reasoning and listen to those of others. Work in a transparent and open fashion so everyone knows what's important and what's not. This is the foundation of effective prioritization.
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