Discard, delegate or do it now

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With today’s breakneck pace, you’re bombarded with email, snail mail, to-dos, and the number one culprit, paper. The only way to manage it all is with systems, processes and habits that help you make your day productive. For that to happen, you have to choose what to do with everything on your desk every day. You have to choose between the three D’s: discard, delegate, or do it now.

Paper is the main culprit that can challenge you, creating a pile of clutter in no time. Considering the amount of paper you find every day, making a decision is important. It would be nice to manipulate each sheet of paper only once, but it just isn’t possible, which also makes it much more important to choose one of the three D. You may think about being able to make those decisions with just paper, but you can with the elements. from your to-do list, snail mail, email, and phone calls.

The first time you touch a sheet of paper, read an email or snail mail, or receive a request by phone or voicemail, choose one of the following options:

Discard it – If you no longer need it or can get it back, get rid of it. Throwing away something you don’t need is one of the best things you can do. It’s a small step, but it keeps clutter at bay.

Delegate it – If you don’t have to be the one to do it, give it to someone else. You might think that in the time it takes you to explain something to someone, you could do the homework yourself. The truth of the matter is, if you take the time to establish that foundation, you will save time in the long run. If there are things that can be delegated, determine who is the right person; Give them clear instructions on what needs to be done and a deadline for what you have assigned. Make sure the instructions and expiration date are clear. If what you’re delivering is crucial or may take longer to complete, set times for status updates so you know where things are on a regular basis.

Do it now – Anything you don’t discard or delegate falls into the “do it now” category. These are the things you want to put on your to-do list and on your calendar to finish. Prioritize the things you have to do and make sure you schedule enough time for each of the things you take on and don’t overdo it.

The keys to getting things done lie in the systems you create and the habits you have. The three Ds have to be a part of that to keep you organized, manage your time effectively, and prevent things from piling up and cluttering your workspace. If you don’t already have systems to back up what you’re doing, it’s important to set them up now. Doing so and then incorporating the 3 Ds will help you move from pending to done!

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