Brian Tracy Success Tips

The following is taken from Brian Tracy’s “21 Great Ways To Double Your Productivity - number 4” Podcast.

In what follows, you will learn one of the most powerful methods for time management available. The best thing about this method is that it is so simple and easy to apply.

This method will help you to learn to pick the most valuable task and then to discipline yourself to work on that task until it is complete. Time management revolves around helping to clarify for you the most important task that you should be working on, before you start working.

In order for you to determine which task you should be working on, or not working on, Brian Tracy says that you need to think about the consequences of doing or not doing the task. An important task is a task that can have major consequences whether it is done or not.

All highly productive people constantly think about potential consequences of the tasks they need to perform as they plan. Then they choose to work on the tasks that will have the greatest consequences.

Here’s how to use Brian Tracy’s ABCDE method:

1. Make a list of everything that you have to do.

2. Go through the list and put one of these letters (ABCDE) by each item

An “A” item represents something that you must do. These items have serious consequences. These are your key tasks. Work on these first.

A “B” item is “Should Do” but is not as important as an “A” item. There are only mild consequences to not completing these tasks. The consequences are only short-lived.

“C” items are nice to do, but have no consequences. These are things like reading the newspaper at work, phoning a friend, or going out for coffee. Again, these are nice to do, but carry no consequences for your career or for your long-term success.

The rule is to never do a “B” item when an “A” item is still on the list; never do “C” when there’s still a “B”. Pretty easy instructions, but it takes discipline to implement the list and follow it in order.

A “D” task is a task you delegate. You need to delegate as much as possible to partners or coworkers who can do that particular task as well or better than you.

“E” stands for eliminate. You can eliminate these tasks and there will be no consequences.

Remember, you must discipline yourself to free up your time so you can work on your A and B tasks. Simplify your life and free up time.

And finally…

3. Organize your “A” tasks by priority.

Place the number 1 by the most important task, the number 2 by the next important task, and so on: A1, A2, etc. Then immediately start working on A1 and work on it until it is complete.

If you follow this Brian Tracy Success Secret, you will be well on your way to doubling your productivity.