Attention Pays

CHAPTER 5Prioritize Your Priorities: Create Significant Moments

I have a confession to make.

I have been known, on occasion, to write things on a to‐do list just so I can cross them off. I know. It's a scary public admission from someone who is supposed to know a thing or two about productivity.

Do you ever do that? It's okay. You can tell me. No one else has to know. Mmm hmm. That's what I thought.

Why do we do that?

Because we want to know that we accomplished something today! At least one thing, no matter how small.

A common complaint of the leaders I work with is that they feel they spend significant time putting out metaphoric fires at work. They are pulled in multiple directions every day, permanently attached to their devices, running from one meeting to the next without a break. Their days are stolen by busy work, the demands of others, and unnecessary (and often poorly run) meetings. They work full speed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and when they get to the end of the day, they have to sit down to complete their real work. Time for strategic thinking and working on important projects? There is none of that.

Can you relate?

You are not alone, but I'm not sure that's company you want to keep.

It's time to stop the crazy train! We need to take back our time, our attention, and our productivity—not only for ourselves, but for our teams, too.

Wouldn't it feel ah‐mazing (one of my favorite words) to stop at 5:30 or 6 p.m., look back at the day, and feel a sense of accomplishment ...