A task we fail to do this moment may be left undone forever. There is no time like now to complete projects vital to our progress and development.
Task lists can be powerful to enhance effectiveness. When used incorrectly, however, they become a convenient excuse to leave what should be done now for a future date, which may never come.
Common ideas are prolific, while truly outstanding ideas may come only once in a lifetime. We can utilize specific techniques to empower the energy of the moment to give each idea an opportunity to flower into a spectacular proposal. Daily activities generate never-ending routines which hinder magical moments of profound inspiration.
One idea brilliantly developed can make us tremendously successful. To obtain one brilliant idea it is desirable to generate many ideas, one of which can make a positive impact on our lives.
An excellent way to concentrate on the most important task is to utilize the method Ivy Lee proposed to Charles Schwab, the owner of Bethlehem Steel at the beginning of the 20th Century. Schwab attributed this single idea to their outstanding success. Schwab’s desire to increase productivity led him to work with Ivy Lee, who gave him the following technique. Lee asked Schwab to write down the most important tasks he needed to accomplish the following day. After composing the list, Lee instructed Schwab to prioritize the list by placing the #1 beside the most important task, the #2 beside the second task and so forth.
Lee instructed Schwab to put the paper in his pocket until the following day. He told him to commence the following morning with #1 and to work only on that task until it was finished, unless something completely hindered its completion. Schwab expressed concern about the consequences of leaving all other tasks undone for sake of working on one single objective. Lee emphasized the importance of concentrating first on the single most important task of the day. This, he explained, was the way to be more effective. Achieving a substantial number of activities which are not crucial is not nearly as important as accomplishing a critical few objectives.
After experiencing the profound effects of enhanced productivity the idea created, purportedly Schwab paid Lee $25,000 for the idea, which at the beginning of the 20th Century was an extraordinary amount of money!
It is not the number of tasks we achieve in a day which is most important, rather the importance of the tasks we achieve. Utilizing Ivy Lee’s method daily assures we accomplish the most critical objectives which lead us to the destiny we desire. no time like now.
∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL I 40