Between showings, offers, prospecting, negotiations, and our personal lives, accomplishing the tasks on our to-do list is almost always harder than we expect.  We think we can do it all and in record time, but that mile-long to-do list is a recipe for disaster.  At the end of the day, there are items that don’t get checked off and we’re left feeling unaccomplished even though we were extremely “busy” throughout the day.  So, what can we do instead?  The secret to getting more done (and feeling more accomplished) is prioritizing our tasks.  Here’s how…

At the top of your daily to-do list, write the 3 “non-negotiables” for the day.  These are the three things that MUST be done today.  No excuses.  Of course, you probably have more than 3 things to do in a day (don’t we all!), but starting your list off with the top three tasks will help you keep your priorities in check.  When that last minute offer comes in or your assistant calls in sick, you know which tasks cannot get pushed off until tomorrow.

To create your Top 3 Non-negotiables, ask yourself these questions:

1. Which task will have the most impact on generating new business today?
2. Which task will have the greatest impact on moving me closer to achieving my goals?
3. Which task am I trying to avoid? (This is the one you need to do)
4. If I get nothing else done today, which task will make me feel the most accomplished?

Examples of non-negotiable tasks:

1. Call 5 people in my database to invite them to [blank] or provide a market update
   
2. Send 3 of my current non-responsive leads a bomb bomb video 
3. Call my buyers to educate them on the current market

When creating your non-negotiable tasks, remember – we often overestimate what we can do in the short term, and underestimate what we can do in the long term.  Small things done with consistency produce great results.  Try it out and let us know how this technique works for you.  How to set your priorities?  Let us know in the comments below.

Until next time, make it count!

Rich