How to tell which tasks are high impact and which are just wasting your time

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks that seem urgent or appealing. But in order to make a real impact as a senior leader, you need to take a step back and ask yourself: which tasks or initiatives will truly move the needle?

Discerning high-impact tasks is not just about ticking boxes on a to-do list. You need to examine the bigger picture and consider the long-term outcomes.

First, start by asking yourself: what is the ultimate goal of your organisation? What are the key objectives that need to be achieved in order to reach that goal? Once you have a clear understanding of the big picture, you can begin to prioritise tasks and initiatives that will help you get there – and eliminate the time-wasters.

Next, consider the ripple effect of your actions. Will this task or initiative have a positive impact on other areas of the organisation and its ecosystem, or will it create more problems down the line? Sometimes, a seemingly small decision can have a huge impact, so it's important to think through the potential consequences of each action.

It's also important to be aware of the difference between urgent tasks and important tasks (read more on that here). Urgent tasks may demand your attention right away, but they may not be the tasks that will have the most impact in the long run. By prioritising important tasks, even if they aren't urgent, you can make steady progress towards your goals.

Finally, don't be afraid to delegate lower impact tasks. As a leader, your time and energy are valuable resources, so it's important to focus your efforts where they will make the biggest impact.

You’ll need time to think clearly in order to do this well. Check out last week’s post for 5 tips on how to create more time for strategic thinking.

Remember, it's not just about getting things done, it's about making a real impact and creating lasting change within your organisation.

Until next week,

Take care of yourself and others,
Madeleine

PS If you’d like to work with me as you work through the challenges in your role, let me know. Send me a message to enquire, and please share with anyone you think may benefit

I help accomplished professionals untangle difficult career questions so they can thrive in work and life.

1. Want to find out more? Send me a note and let me know.

2. Feeling unfulfilled, overworked or unclear about what next? Work with me to identify what is holding you back and make a plan for more powerfully and enjoyably pursuing goals that matter to you. Contact me to find out more.

3. Join my list to receive regular articles and insights, early news about programs and offers, and respect for your inbox.

4. Follow me on LinkedIn to stay connected.

5. Prefer to talk? Choose a time and it will drop right into my schedule.

Click below to share this on your socials…