First Things First

First ThingsFirst Things FirstFirst

47

2

First Things First - Paradigms

Ineffective: I put urgent things first.

Effective: I put important things first.

Put First Things First

3

The Time Matrix

Put First Things First

INECESSITY

IIIDECEPTION

IVWASTE AND

EXCESS

IIEFFECTIVENESS

4

Live North of the Line

Put First Things First

• Preparation• Prevention• Planning• Relationship building• Re-creation• Values clarification

• Trivia, busywork

• Irrelevant phone calls, mail, e-mail

• Time-wasters

• “Escape” activities

• Excessive TV, Internet, relaxation

• Needless interruptions

• Unnecessary reports

• Unimportantmeetings, phone calls, mail, e-mail

• Other people’s minor issues

• Crises

• Pressing problems

• Deadline-driven projects, meetings,reports

Live North of the Line

5

First Things First

Put First Things First

Planning

6

Tips for Weekly Planning

When? Before the week begins.

Where? Someplace quiet.

How Long? 20–30 minutes.

Put First Things First

7

Plan Weekly

Put First Things First

1. Review mission and roles.

2. Choose big rocks.

3. Schedule the week.

8

Weekly Compass

Put First Things First

Project Manager

Parent

Spouse

Friend

9

What Is the Most Important Thing?

Put First Things First

Project Manager

Parent

Spouse

Friend

Finalise budgetDraft meeting agenda

Attend parent-teacherconference

Date night

What is themostimportant thing I can do in this role this week?

Traditional Scheduling

Put First Things First 9

M T W Th F Sa Su

“Big Rocks” Scheduling

Put First Things First 10

M T W Th F Sa Su

11

Plan Daily

Put First Things First

1. Check today’s appointments.

2. Make a realistic list.

3. Prioritise (ABC, 123).

12

Tips for Daily Planning

When? Before the day begins.

Where? Someplace quiet.

How Long? 5–10 minutes.

Put First Things First

13

Video

Put First Things First

The QIILifestyle