Priorities...

This past weekend, I attended an incredible leadership development retreat.  One of the many topics of discussion included examining and setting your priorities.  Especially interesting to me was when the speaker (Dennis Prager) asked the question, "What is it that truly makes you happy?" Making his point, he followed-up the question, "What is it that you spend most of your time doing?"  It is amazing, but certainly true, that we do not spend enough time on the activities that bring us the most happiness. 

The same two questions could be applied to business and how we operate in the working world.  The first question that should be asked is, "What activity or activities could you do at the office that would produce the best, most desired results?"  Of course, the follow up question would then be, "What is it that you spend most of your time doing?"  Chances are that your answer to the first question is not the same as your answer to the second question.  Let's take it even one step further, and think about what we ask the people who work for us to do each day.  First let's ask the question, "What do they do that produces the best results for both them and the organization?"  and then follow up with the question, "What is it that we ask them to spend the most time on?" 

While I learned a lot this weekend at the retreat, one of the greatest take-aways will be the need for me to re-think my priorities both for home and for work.   

Comments

[K. Todd Storch]

Excellent points.

My mentor once told me 'in most cases, determining what needs to get done is less important as to determining what doesn't'.

Prioritize and take next steps.

Great post Matt.

Todd

[Trey Morris]

Every day as I walk into my office, I hear the old George Strait song "The Fireman" play in my head.

"They call me the fireman. That’s my name. Makin’ my rounds all over town, Puttin’ out old flames"

Now, I realize that is very odd; however, it reminds every morning that I will be pulled in 37 different directions by clients, employees, and media reps wanting me to "put out their fires". While that may be important some days, in most cases it can and should wait.

My priority should be to do what is most important for my agency, which is to create advertisements and campaigns that will help my clients achieve their marketing goals.

Happy clients stay current clients and my current clients refer over 80% of my new clients.

Yet sadly, it seems like that is so hard to do with all of the fires burning around me.

[Kevin Lein]

Priorities....

Are you doing what makes you happy? At work, for most people that's getting RESULTS. For example, if you're a seller....think about when you have been the HAPPIEST? Its doing what you get paid to do-make sales and knock the cover off the ball. Ie: if you've got 20 problems and one of them is sales? You've really only got one problem. Focus on it -- do what you get PAID to do --and happiness is sure to follow.