Top Management Tips

Focus on What's Important, Not Urgent

Checking email every five minutes can make you feel busy, and perhaps even important, but it doesn't help you get through your critical to-do list. In a frenzy of constant urgency it's possible to lose sight of the real work you need to get done.

Create a list of three things that are important to accomplish each day. Write them down and keep the list visible on your desk. Take the free moments in your day to check on your list, not check your inbox. Most "urgent" items can wait while you take the time you need to focus on these vital projects.

Taken from Harvard Business School