meQ Tip: Delegate, Delete, Do

As busy leaders, your schedule, both personally and professionally, at times can seem out of control. Anytime you feel overwhelmed, or simply want to get a handle on your schedule, practice the "Delegate, Delete, Do" technique. The simple steps in this exercise help you clear away the noise to prioritize key work and what needs to get done.

Step 1: Delegate

At the start of the week or day, take a look at your schedule. Ask yourself: What can I delegate and hand off to someone else?

Think about your personal life, not just your work life. At home, for example, could someone else unload the dishwasher? Is there a way you could automate all your bill paying?

Step 2: Delete

Decide what items you can "delete." It does not have to be a permanent delete. Instead, simply identify what does not have to be done today, tomorrow or even this week. Decide what can be re-prioritized.

Step 3: Do

What are your "must do" priorities? Make sure there is a mix of both urgent and important work. If not, urgent work, which is driven by others’ deadlines or crises, can take over. Over time, this can cause us to lose sight of the important, longer-term or more strategic work.

Following these three steps as often as you need to can be beneficial in keeping you on track, at work and at home, to what is most important and keep you from stretching yourself too thin.