69: How to Get It All Done, Even in the Midst of Chaos

All of us are trying to be effective while handling some level of chaos, yet some are more efficient in getting it all done than others. Dave responds to a listener question and gives suggestions for how to get it all done when the reason you aren’t getting it done is because you have too much on your plate.

1) Figure out what you need to do exclusively, that no one else can do

• Look at the last really full week you had…
• What could you teach someone else to do?
• Are you believing the fallacy that no one else could do as good a job as you on all your tasks?

2) Have defined outcomes for a specific timeframe

• Contract with your manager on what outcomes are most important
• Remember that you can’t hit a target that you don’t have
• Keep these priorities simple and easily trackable. The SMART framework can be helpful (see episode #15)

3) Do quality work (be careful about just focusing on speed)

• Figure out what performance metrics are important to your organization
• Meet or exceed those metrics
• If you don’t have clarity, try to find out how your leaders are measured

4) Come to the table with solutions

• Present challenges with the scope of work and give realistic projections backed up with evidence
• Allow your leader to participate in the decision you’ve made on priorities
• What not to say? My team has too much work and is overwhelmed (that’s not taking ownership)

5) Learn how to say no

• You can’t be everything to everybody
• Set boundaries in advance and trust your gut reactions

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