Have you ever gotten to the end of your day and felt like you’ve accomplished very little, even though you were busy all day long?

If it feels like your To Do list runs your life, consider this: When you are at the end of your life, reflecting back on this particular time in your life, will you remember anything from your “To Do List” this week? Will you say to yourself, “Gee! I am so glad I got that paperwork done!” or “I am so glad I promptly responded to all of the messages in my Inbox!”

Often, only a small number of items on our To Do Lists really matter. If you’ve ever gotten to the end of your day and felt like you’ve been busy all day long, but accomplished very little, most likely, you are being busy, but not effective.

Being effective requires focusing on what matters.

Consider that 80% of the value of what you do comes from 20% of the activities on your To Do List. That’s right! If you look at your To Do List, chances are, only 20% (or fewer) of those tasks matter in the long run.

Instead of being overwhelmed by all that you have to do, focus on the 20% that matters, and you will accomplish more. Deal with the rest as you are able.

Take a look at your To Do List, and ask yourself the following:

• Which of your tasks will move you closer to accomplishing a significant goal?
• Which tasks serve a Top Client or Customer?
• Which tasks lead to immediate revenue generation?
• Which tasks further develop a system within your Business’ Sweet Spot?

These tasks fall into the Top 20% that matter.

By the way, if you can identify a task that does all 3 of the following,

• Serves a Top Customer,
• Leads to immediate revenue generation AND
• Further Develops a System within Your Business’ Sweet Spot

… it’s a top 1% task!

If you have one of these tasks on your list, shut your door, turn off your cell phone, and get it done ASAP. If you don’t have one of these on your list, create one!

Be effective, not busy.