How to tackle your priorities
Setting priorities is a decision-making process by which you rank in order of importance the tasks you or your staff members must do. By completing the tasks on your list in order, you will achieve your goals. It sounds easy - but it's not. In fact, priority-setting and sticking to the agreement you make with yourself will be major challenges for you as a manager. Here are several important suggestions to help you draw up a priority list - and make it work...
1. Address management problems first.
Give top priority to any problem on your list that is making you ineffective as a manager. If, for example, you have a personal conflict with your superior or your personal assistant, your effectiveness in dealing with other priorities could be seriously hampered. Face such problems immediately; get them out in the open; and devise solutions quickly.
2. Group your priorities meaningfully.
It is sometimes possible to prioritise your daily goals and save time and effort. For example, by postponing an inspection of new equipment in the factory block across the parking lot until after lunch, you might find that you can do so after a scheduled mid-afternoon meeting with the factory supervisor. You may even be able to accomplish a couple more of your goals for the day during that one trip.
Sensible planning brings its time-saving rewards.
3. Do it - or remove it.
Don't let an item become an irritation to you. If a task has been on your priority list for a long time, deal with it immediately or delete it from the list. If it has to be done, do it. If not, get rid of it; make room for something more important.
