Do this to feel focused
Today I want to talk about what’s on your plate (metaphorically speaking, but also maybe literally?).
When Eli was young, we bought a bunch of those ‘portion plates’ to use at meals – you know, the ones that have dividers for different foods so they don’t touch each other? Not only would this keep the foods separate (a priority for my picky eating kiddo), but for me – as a busy, sleep-deprived parent – it helped me quickly prioritize what and how much to serve him.
After all, I could only actually fit a set number of items on his plate.
Lately I’ve had a lot of conversations with people whose plates are overflowing. How can I tell?
They’re emailing me late at night and over the weekend
They’re overscheduled and declining appointments because they’re double booked
They’re showing up to our calls frazzled, distracted, or unfocused
They’re telling me!
Last week a client and I were talking about her taking on a new area of responsibility at work. It’s a big project, with lots of visibility, and as a leader on her team, the default expectation is that she’ll add it to her plate.
I could see she had already accepted this reality, had already reconciled the fact that this just made her to-do list that much longer. So I asked her:
“What needs to come off your plate in order to make space for this new project?”
We are all struggling to prioritize right now. The news is crazy, org strategies are shifting, and a lot feels unstable.
This means that if you don’t feel like you have the control to choose what goes on your to-do list, or how you approach your work day, or even whether you can decline a meeting so you can actually get some work done…
You’re not alone.
In today’s organizations, the assumption is that we will mold ourselves – our work approach, our collaboration styles, even our availability – to what the culture demands.
Rushing from one meeting or priority to the next, many of us don’t feel like we have any control over how we work or what we work on.
Here’s where I have to ask: This may feel true – but is it really true?
Sure, working as an employee means aligning your work with the goals of your organization. AND/BUT ALSO: What are YOUR priorities? What goes on your portion plate?
Today, make a list of up to 9 things that are on your plate right now. They could be:
Work projects you’re leading
This week’s to-do list
Changes you want to make to your calendar or schedule
Whatever you’re feeling frazzled about!
Then, take a piece of paper and draw three concentric circles (like a Bullseye). You’re going to use this to prioritize your list. Here’s the important part:
In the inner circle, the place where the majority of your attention and time is meant to go – there is room for only 1 item. Yes, only ONE thing can be your top priority!
In the middle circle, you can fit 3 items. These are your second tier focus.
In the outer circle, you can fit 5 items. These items are important, but not near the center.
This sounds simple, but it’s not easy. Take your time with it. And as you go, celebrate yourself and your commitment to prioritizing what matters to you (not to mention bringing some new sanity, calm and focus to your day).
Will you give it a try? I’d love to hear what becomes clear to you.
Onward,
PS: You can use this kind of activity any time you’re ready to Define what matters to you. Ready for more exercises to help you clarity, discern, or prioritize? Check out Volume 2 of “100 Days of Designing My Life: Define!”