Delegate One Big Job

• Noncreative,repetitive tasks are done regularly (generating regular reports, crunchingnumbers, answering phones, routine correspondence, preparing packets,confirming meeting attendance).
• Special projects,onetime or infrequent tasks (creating a brochure, launching a newinitiative, planning an event, designing a product, researching andacquiring a new computer)

• Expert: Giving the task to someone who can do itbetter or faster than you is an instant time-saver because it requires theleast instruction and supervision from you. If there is no expertin-house, consider hiring an outside expert.
• Equal: Giving the job to someone who is just asqualified as you reduces the time you must spend explaining the task to aminimum and offers a high likelihood that the work will be done adequately–evenif the person on the project approaches it a little differently than youwould.
• Beginner: Giving the job to someone who is not asskilled as you requires the largest investment of time to teach and guide,but you may develop a loyal helper who feels grateful for the opportunityto learn.

Quit Multitasking

Break Your E-mail Addiction

• Completelyavoid e-mail for the first hour of the day. E-mail is addictive. Itinterrupts continuity in our thought process and steals productivity. If youcan fight off e-mail the first hour of the day, you can control yourself allday long. Instead, use that hour to focus on your most critical, concentratedtask.
• Keep your e-mailalarm off. Checke-mail at designated times of each day–e.g., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m.If an issue is that critical orurgent, someone will find you!
• Stop “justchecking.” Processe-mails fully during your e-mail sessions. Read, respond and immediately deleteor file e-mails that can be answered in two minutes or less. For e-mails thatrequire more thought or research before responding, schedule a specific timelater in your schedule to deal with them.

Tackle Tough Tasks When You Are At Peak Energy

DefineYour Goals and Activities

• A goal is a destination. It’s what you want toachieve.
• An activity is how you get there. It’s thespecific means to your higher goals.

Dedicate The First Hour Of Your Workday To YourMost Critical Task

Create a Golden Nugget Binder

Choose Paper or Electronic for Your Contact Entries

Mark Your Spot When Getting Interrupted

Determine Your Concentration Threshold

• Guide to Outsourcing
• E-mail is Making You Stupid
• 5 Tips to Become a High-Achiever
• The Science of Success