January always makes me happy. I love planners, goal setting and the idea of a fresh new start. Good-bye old and hello new!
This January was no different. My planning for the new year started in December when I grabbed my new supplies and sat down to prioritize my tasks and set big goals for the year. One of the most helpful methods I use for planning and prioritization is the ABCDE method that I learned from Brian Tracy. Not only is the ABCDE method great for prioritizing your daily to-do list, it really helps you focus on daily tasks necessary to achieve your big goal. It’s important to prioritize your tasks to get more accomplished.
ABCDE Method and Big Goal Planning
Over the past few years, the ABCDE method has provided me clarity on how to prioritize my daily tasks and reach my big goal. I do a brain dump and list all of the possible tasks I will need to do in order to achieve my big goal for the year. After listing all of the tasks on paper, I go back and review and prioritize my list based on the ABCDE method.
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Once I have prioritized my tasks necessary to accomplish my big goal, I use that list to plan out how I will accomplish the big goal that year. I think about what needs to be done monthly, weekly or daily. When creating my daily schedule, I first add in my big goal task for the day, based on my prioritization list, and then add appointments and routine tasks into the daily schedule. It is important to make your big goal tasks a top priority.
I work methodically throughout the year on monthly tasks, weekly tasks and daily tasks that are leading me towards my big goal. I always consider my big goal tasks “A” tasks and do them first each day. All of the other daily or routine tasks and chores I need to complete, are considered a “B, C, D or E” task.
ABCDE Breakdown
You must prioritize your tasks to get more accomplished. ABCDE method helps you prioritize your goals, tasks and to-dos. “A” being the most important and “E” being tasks that need to be eliminated. Here is how I breakdown the ABCDE Method as it relates to setting my big yearly goal, fitting it into my daily schedule and breaking it down into manageable daily, weekly and monthly tasks:
“A” tasks- are your “must-do” tasks. “A” tasks are your most important tasks each day. These are tasks that will help you achieve your BIG goal for the year. These can also be tasks that you deem urgent. Do these tasks first everyday. These are the tasks that will impact you most.
If you have more than one “A” task, rank the “A” tasks further by noting A-1, A-2, A-3, etc. When you begin working on your “A” tasks, work on A-1 first.
“B” tasks- are your “should-do” tasks. “B” tasks are important, but they are not directly tied to your big goal. These are tasks you should-do everyday after you’ve completed your “A” tasks. There may be consequences to not finishing these tasks, but not as great as leaving an “A” task unfinished.
“C” tasks- are your “would like to do” tasks. “C” tasks are the least important on your list. If you get to them today, fantastic. If you don’t, put them off until another day.
“D” tasks- are tasks you delegate. Why clutter your schedule and do something if you don’t have to. Delegate what you can. This includes cleaning tasks that you delegate to your children!
“E” tasks- are tasks you eliminate. Get rid of them. Scratch them off your to-do list and don’t put them back on the list. This step is so freeing. When you really analyze all of the tasks you need to complete, it becomes very clear which tasks have no true value and are just busy work. Let them go!
How to prioritize your tasks & Get more accomplished
- Start with a brain dump. List all tasks and to-dos you need to get done. All of them. List out your big goal and any smaller tasks you will need to complete in order to accomplish your big goal for the year. You can get my brainstorming form below.
- After you’ve completed your list, go back and assign a letter value to each tasks. Pay special attention to tasks that will move you toward achieving your big goal. These tasks should be identified as “A” tasks. To improve your chances of successfully completing your big goal, you will want to complete tasks for your big goal first each day.
- Take your most important and urgent “A” tasks and put them on your daily schedule first. Add in “B” and “C” tasks and delegate tasks to others.
- Mark the E tasks off your list completely.
- Repeat the process each night before you go to bed. It should only take about 5 minutes. Doing this process daily will help you clear your head before bedtime and provide you with a clear and purposeful schedule for the next day.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU PRIORITIZE & Get more accomplished
As you are determining how to classify your tasks, ask yourself these questions to help clarify the ranking:
- Is this task specifically related to my big goal for the year? If so, it’s an “A” task!
- Is this task critical? Will there be serious consequences if I don’t complete this task today? If so, it’s an “A” task.
- Is this task something I can put off until tomorrow or next week? If so, it’s probably a “C” task.
- Is this something I can delegate to someone else? (Think cleaning chores that you delegate to your teens, or a project at work that you delegate to your subordinate.)
- What will happen if I never do this task? Will anyone notice? Will anyone care? If no, eliminate this task and move on!
Prioritizing like a pro
Before you know it, the ABCDE Method for prioritization will become second nature to you. Each day as you prepare your schedule, you will automatically look at your list and rank your tasks based on their levels- A, B, C, D or E. This method also brings your big goal clearly into focus and what specific tasks you need to work on each day, each week and each month in order to stay on track for achieving your big goal. This prioritization method is easy to remember and critical for your success! Use the ABCDE Method to help you prioritize your tasks and get more done!
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