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The idea of earning more as you do less than what drains you seem almost too good to be true. Since childhood, many of us were encouraged to believe in The power of tireless work. But the “hard work” was often adapted as doing something terrible – tasks we didn't enjoy, struggling to wear us. We were told that if we were to endure it long enough, success would eventually follow.
But here is the truth: that mentality does not always lead to success. In fact, she often impoverish your energy and limits your potential. Things that do not match your strengths or passions are not a way to the life you dream of. So what is it?
Eisenhower was over something
You, I, Jeff Bezos and any billionaire there – what do we all have in common? Time each of us takes the same 86,400 seconds a day. While most people spend those seconds related to routines that do not serve them, others focus their energy on what matters most – using their ability and resources to create value.
Former US President Eisenhower came out with a great way To achieve this. He realized that some tasks demanded immediate attention, others were essential, but they could wait, and many were distractions disguised as priority. So he created a matrix that divided his tasks into 4 groups based on two simple criteria, importance and emergency:
- Urgent/important tasks.
- Urgent/not important tasks.
- Not urgent/important tasks.
- Not urgent/not important tasks.
By categorizing his work in what was really important and what not, he was able to focus on what brought true results. But how can you use this idea to earn more? Let's tear it into four steps.
1. Categorize your current tasks
Write all the tasks you have completed over a selected timeframe. For example, two weeks is often a realistic and manageable period. Put them in four boxes based on their emergency and importance.
Urgent and important
Require these critical tasks instant and can cause serious issues if delayed. They are often associated with crisis situations, such as treating a furious client or treating a sudden technical failure in your system.
These situations usually require your full attention. Ignoring them can lead to long -term damage, so it is important to act immediately and select them efficiently.
Urgent and not important
Some of the tasks on your list may feel urgent, but they do not really contribute much to your long -term goals. They can often be distractions that create the illusion of productivity, but in reality, they do not move the needle forward.
Examples include responding to non -essential electronic posts, receiving part of unnecessary meetings, or dealing with small issues that others could easily care for. Often, these are the tasks that other people ask us to do, and we cannot refuse to avoid selfish viewing. They can eat your time and energy, drawing your focus away from what really matters.
Not urgent and important
These tasks can do or disrupt your long -term success. While they do not have an immediate term, their impact is more important. Such strategic planning and personal development falls into this category. They may not seek your attention now, but investing time and energy in them will pay in the future.
The same goes for the tasks you really like. If you think you can delegate communication with your customers, but that's what you do better, you can still put this in the non -urgent/important category.
Not urgent and not important
These tasks are pure distractions that do not add any value to your work or business. They are the winners of the time that drains your productivity without contributing to your goals. However, sometimes, we all do them. Moving on social media, being lost in insignificant articles or videos, or other unhealthy activities, keep you busy.
Now that you have categorized your tasks, let's move on to the next step.
Connected: Leadership lessons by Dwight D. Eisenhower
2. Solve tasks that generate more income or results
Look at your list; Which tasks bring you the most money? From my experience, these often fall into the “non -urgent/important” category.
These are the tasks in which you are good, or that benefit your long -term business. For example, no one can establish deep relationships with your clients as you can. No one else can strategy the future of your business. Learning – whether you are taking a course, reading or exploring new ideas – is also a “important/non -urgent” task that only you can do for yourself. It is not urgent, but it should be done if you want to grow.
These tasks have the potential to be your best investment. Let's see why the use of math.
3. Do your math
Now, let the numbers speak. Check out the total income you have earned over the past two weeks and share it with the total number of hours you spent working on all your tasks. This gives you a rough idea for your income per hour – Basically, how much you do for every hour you invest.
Next, magnify the tasks that contribute directly to your income – the ones that generate income or the results you are after. Divide the income you earned from the number of hours you spent on them.
Now, compare the following two numbers: your average earnings per hour in all your tasks and income per hour from income generation tasks.
What you will find for sure is that “your rate per hour”- or the value of your time- is much higher when focusing on tasks that really direct your success, especially those that may not feel urgent but are essential for a long time- the growth of the term.
Connected: 6 ways to work less but to do more
4. Create a delegating scheme
Now that you have identified the tasks that generate the most income, it's time to focus on them. Why spend your time on anything else? If someone else can handle a task at a lower cost, it makes no sense for you to spend your valuable hours doing it.
So the best category to delegate is the “urgent/not important” task. When I talk to entrepreneurs, these are often tasks that consume most of their time. All because they deceive us: when we face a lot of emergency, we often do not stop to appreciate whether something is important or not – we simply do so because it requires immediate attention.
If you find yourself in this cycle, consider hiring an assistant. If you prefer local aid, look for someone nearby. If your budget is tight, hire a virtual assistant from anywhere in the world.
Is not just about loading tasks; It is about using your time efficiently. Focusing on what only you can do better – strategy, build relationships or tracking opportunities – you ensure that every hour you work has the highest possible return. This is how a profit strategy is made.
To summarize
Focusing on important but not urgent tasks was a player of the game for me. This shift helped me move forward in ways I had not imagined. For example, the priority of my lesson and education made me follow MBA last year. He raised me to a new level, both professionally and personally.
By mastering this framework and devoting time to what really matters, you will not only gain more, but also create a life that matches your goals and dreams.