For several years now, I have profited from using a \u201cMaster Task List.\u201d This is a way to group your work-related activities so that you do what you were hired to do and keep from getting side-tracked by \u201ctrivial pursuits.\u201d It is something you should develop before you start throwing together a to-do list.<\/p>\n\n
I first learned this technique from Todd Duncan<\/a>, whose book, Time Traps<\/a><\/em>, published by Thomas Nelson, is a must read. It is subtitled, \u201cProven Strategies for Swamped Salespeople\u201d but don\u2019t let this put you off. Even if you aren\u2019t<\/em> in sales, this book has news you can use. Every page is loaded with time-saving tips and techniques for managing your workflow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaster Tasking\u201d is the process of identifying your five to seven most productive, most important work-related tasks. A Master Task List is similar to a job description but more useful. It answers the question, \u201cWhat was I really hired to do?\u201d<\/p>\n Here are some characteristics of master tasks:<\/p>\n The purpose of developing a Master Task List is to enable you to focus more easily on those activities that really add value to your department, your division and your company. Once you have a Master Task List you can measure your performance against it. More importantly, you can schedule these activities so you accomplish the most important tasks related to your job.<\/p>\n Master Tasking will enable you to become more productive, more successful, more confident, less frustrated, and less stressed. It is one of the reasons why I have gotten as far as I have in my career. Others who have practiced it have reported similar results. It\u2019s a high pay-off activity for a relatively small investment of time.<\/p>\n Your Master Task List should be written down and periodically reviewed. Each Master Task should be stated as a broad activity area; for example, \u201cManuscript Development,\u201d \u201cCopywriting,\u201d \u201cTravel Planning,\u201c \u201cFinancial Review,\u201d etc. Then, you should list three to seven bulleted subpoints that represent the specific activities related to that particular Master Task.<\/p>\n For example, I have a master task called \u201cBusiness Planning.\u201d Here are the activities associated with that Master Task:<\/p>\n Notice that each Master Task list activity begins with a gerund<\/em> (i.e., a noun formed from a verb). The idea is to make these action-oriented. These are things you do.<\/em><\/p>\n To give you a real-life example, here\u2019s my current Master Task List:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once you have completed your Master Task List, you can begin scheduling these on your calendar. This is a process Todd Duncan calls \u201cTime Blocking.\u201d It ensures that you schedule your priorities and make time to do the things that are truly important.<\/p>\n or several years now, I have profited from using a \u201cMaster Task List.\u201d This is a way to group your work-related activities so that you do what you were hired to do and keep from getting side-tracked by \u201ctrivial pursuits.\u201d It is something you should develop before you start throwing together a to-do list.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":32439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[827,503,1040,30,89,1339],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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