Brian Tracy - Eat That Frog - 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
STEP 5 - PRACTICE THE ABCDE METHOD CONTINUALLY
The first law of success is concentration, to bend all the energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left. - William Mathews
the abcde method is a powerful priority-setting technique that you can use every single day. this technique is so simple and effective that it can, all by itself, make you one of the most efficient and effective people in your field.
the power of this technique lies in it's simplicity. here's how it works. you start with a list of everything you have to do for the coming day. think on paper
you then place an a, b, c, d, or e before each item on your list before you begin the first task.
a is something that is very important that you MUST do or else face the serious consequences.
b is something that you SHOULD do but only has mild consequences. (never do a b task when there is an a task left undone)
c is something that would be NICE to do but for which there are no consequences at all, whether you do it or no.
d is something you delegate to someone else
e is something that you can eliminate all together
the key to making this method work is for you to now discipline yourself to start immediately on your a-1 task and stay at it until it is complete
ASSIGNMENT - EAT THAT FROG
review your work list right now and put an a, b, c, d, or e next to each task or activity. select your "a-1" job or project and begin working on it immediately. discipline yourself to do nothing else until this one job is complete.
practice this abcde method every day and on every work or project list, before you begin work, for the next month. by that time, you will have developed the habit of setting and working on your highest priority tasks and your future will be assured.
