“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” — Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) Italian painter, sculptor and inventor
One of my clients runs a fast-paced technology business. A frequent struggle of his is staying on course throughout the day. One process we implemented to help him is called “3 Things” (described below). Each morning he uses it to determine the 3 significant tasks he’s committed to completing that day. If he strays, he uses it to pull himself back. “I still get knocked off course,” he explains, “but now I’m clearer when that’s happening. The twenty minutes I spend planning my 3 things each day has been extremely helpful. It takes a lot of stuff off my plate that should have never been on it in the first place.
Consider this:
Simplicity isn’t simple. Complexity is simple. Anyone can make something complex. Read the front page of any newspaper. You’ll find complex problems everywhere. Look into your own life. You’ll find complex forces at play. Complexity is the natural state of things. Sophistication lies in your ability to SIMPLIFY complexity. It lies in your ability to make sense of the world around you. You can’t do everything. Understand what’s important and what’s not. Pick your focus and act.
Try This:
3 Things Exercise
1. Write down your objectives for the next year.
2. Identify the 3-5 primary buckets in which you spend your day (for the client above it was Strategic Planning, SW Development, Business Development, Marketing, and Personal).
3. Write down active tasks in each bucket.
4. Prioritize each list.
5. Consult your objectives and pick the top 3 tasks across all buckets.
6. Each day bring yourself back to them when you get off course.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 daily.
— Doug Sundheim is a leadership consultant, author, and speaker. His book on Smart Risk-Taking is due out in 2012.
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