Here’s what I do when I feel overwhelmed with all the things on my plate – ideas, possible projects, possible solutions to challenges, many different ways I can go about achieving my goals.
Like, what is right? What is more important? What should I do first, last?
Let’s face it, nobody has enough time to do it all.
We have to learn how to make better choices in an environment of almost infinite possibilities and options - and not knowing what the future holds for us.
There’s only one way to go about resolving this issue,
Start from the top.
Yesterday I did an exercise called the Impact Filter, from the book "Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork" by Dan Sullivan & the Strategic Coach team.
It asked me to clarify project focus:
“What do you want to accomplish? What’s your motivation?”
Project importance:
“What difference will it make? What impact will it have?”
Ideal outcome:
“What does the completed project look like? What’s the payoff?”
Project success criteria:
“What specific results must be true for this project to be a success?”
When you do this kind of work - when you really do it - most of the things that you thought were great ideas and important suddenly don’t make any sense.
Most of the stuff filters out.
That’s how you navigate the world of complexity.
You start at the top. You set up the filter. And then you simply don’t let anything else through.
Whether you’re deciding what to have for lunch to hit your health goals, or choosing the next initiative to grow your business or transform your team - your entire organization,
Setting up great filters is what allows you to make choices and prioritize fast, so you get the most important things moving forward.
Always start with the filter.
Your to-do list is a vanity metric without it.