10 Great Questions To Focus Your Time

I read a great chapter/article about how to focus your time to be a better leader. The context was in a book to pastors, but the topic was so good I felt it important to share with others. It comes from Bobb Biehl.

1. What is my single greatest strength?
2. What three decisions are causing me the greatest stress?
3. What is overwhelming me?
4. What impassable roadblock has me stuck?
5. If I could do three things in my lifetime, what would they be?
6. What should I resign from or drop out of?
7. What can I postpone- be it for a month, three months, or indefinitely?
8. What things on my to-do list can someone else do at least 80% as well?
9. What are the elephants on my schedule?
10. What three things could I do in the next three months that would make a 50% difference?

Some of the questions are obvious, like 1-4 & 6-8, so I will not make comment about them.
Question 4 should force you to think about what your big goals in life are and what you must do to work to fulfill them.
Question 9 has to do with scheduling time. The author used the illustration of Noah and the ark. If the ark started sinking, you could throw a bunch of small animals off the ship to try and slow the sinking. On the other hand, if you throw off the elephants it removes significantly more weight. What adjustments can you make to big items in your schedule that can make a big difference?
Question 10 has to do with project management. Asking what three things can you do on a project that will make a big impact is the idea. Instead of focusing on the hundreds of small items, address the big issues to get large chunks of the project ahead.

I hope this helps you think through how to better improve your schedule. Bobb's suggestion is to take time away from work and others to really think through these items on a regular basis to keep your schedule effective.