For years Jane’s mantra has been “focus on the important, not the urgent.” And my buddy is in good company! I receive Harvard Business Reviews’ “Management Tip of the Day” (most of which are superb — I highly recommend you subscribe to this — just file them until you get a chance in an airport to really read them!). The “tip” today is “How to mitigate the urgent to focus on the important” , including:
- choose 3 important tasks to focus on each day — only 3 – any more than 3 and you won’t get any accomplished
- only check your email a few times a day so that you aren’t constantly interrupting yourself
- have a scheduled 20 minute weekly meeting with YOURSELF
Superb advice.
It also reminds me that we need to start spreading the word about the “Executive Think Tank” LMD is offering at the SLA Conference on Saturday June 13th (page 9, Ticket Event #280)– a full day workshop with (are you ready for this?):
Clare Hart, Executive VP Dow Jones and President, Dow Jones Enterprise Media Group
Darrell Gunter, Chief Marketing Officer for Collexis Holdings, Inc.
Kate Noerr, CEO MuseGlobal Inc.
Barbara Robinson, Executive Coach
These executives aren’t at the Think Tank as talking heads; they are there ALL DAY, as faculty, working with the participants on influencing, decision-making (when there’s no clear decision), judgment, saying no, & balancing your personal values when they don’t mesh with organizational decisions. The Think Tank is for anyone working with senior management, reporting to management, or in a management role. Last year’s Think Tank was a great success, and this year, thanks to feedback from last year’s participants, will be even better with a good blend of strategic thinking and practical application. This type of workshop, with this caliber of faculty normally costs more than $1000 – but LMD has been able to keep the fee at a reasonable rate.
Over the next week I’ll be sending more information to the list — and linking to articles we’ll be using. In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact me. Thanks – and thanks to LMD for making the Think Tank happen.