Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship 1819: I Am the CEO, So Why Am I Confused About How I Should Spend My Time by Mike Smerklo on Business Priorities
Sep 23, 2025
Explore the common struggle of CEOs in managing their time effectively amid constant demands. Dive into practical strategies for clarifying priorities, balancing visionary thinking with execution. Discover a four-step framework that emphasizes leveraging your strengths while delegating tasks. Emphasizing that time is a valuable resource, the discussion encourages leaders to focus on what truly matters for long-term success.
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Efficiency vs. Effectiveness
- Efficiency tools solve process, not priority problems.
- Effectiveness (doing the right things) matters more for leaders than mere efficiency.
Mentor Rescued His Time Crisis
- Mike Smerklo recounts wasting hours on tasks others could do better and handing off things he should keep.
- A mentor then taught him a four-step process that became an annual obsession.
Build A Skills×Passion 2x2 Grid
- Create a 2x2 grid mapping skill (good/bad) and passion (love/hate).
- Place business functions into quadrants to reveal where you're uniquely qualified to contribute.
