Habit 3 - Part 2

The key to Habit 3 is focusing one’s energy on what is really important and say no to the rest.

Why do people neglect Quadrant 2 – things that are important, but not urgent? Why do they focus on Quadrant 3, the urgent, but not important things? It’s because Q2 is harder. Q2 things must be acted upon, and require you to be proactive. Q3 items act on you. They are pressing, and proximate, and ‘popular’. They present themselves to you, and can offer an immediate sense of gratification or accomplishment.

Delegation, problem solving with another, beginning with the end in mind – these are all Q2 activities. Once you learn to focus on what is important, and start ignoring what is urgent but not important, you will find that less Q3 stuff comes your way. If you have a reputation for handing crises, people will bring them to you. But start turning them away and they will stop.

Focusing on the urgent, un-important things that come your way all the time keeps you from being impactful, and making the unique contributions to the world that you can make. If you haven’t paid the price of taking the time to define for yourself what is truly important, and what your goals are, you will be distracted by whatever comes your way.

Learn to say ‘no’ with a smile when there is a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside of you. You don’t have to be apologetic, but do be diplomatic. You have to decide what is your highest priority.

Pareto’s Law

Most people are familiar with some form Pareto’s Law, which basically states that 80% of the results derive from 20% of the effort. Some activities are more impactful. They have higher leverage.

One of these highly leveraged activities is looking at your other activities, and seeing what is important, impactful, and in alignment with your mission, and which are not, and making changes. Organizations are no different in this. The can develop very effective modes of operation over time, but if they are not conscious of the usefulness of these practices under new circumstances they become ineffective.

Breaking down the Habit 3

“Organize and execute around priorities” You’ve got to know your priorities, that’s habit 2. Then you’ve got to organize around them, and take action around them.