My New Approach to Time Management

Recently, I’ve been working on a new methodology to help me focus on what really matters. In doing so, I’ve had to rethink how I evaluate my work and how I prioritize my time. This became a source of focus for me after spending so much time developing my new work methodology.

Evaluating What’s Important

I've been questioning how I value the work I do. After developing a new work methodology, I realized that not all tasks are created equal. How do I decide what to focus on when there’s an endless number of tasks to tackle? The answer seems to be in understanding the ROI (Return on Investment) of each task - or connected group of tasks. Rather than just working though a chronologic list of action items, I ask myself: "Which task will give me the most value for the time I invest?" Value, of course, depending on the goals of the work. It’s not always money - though it often is.

To make these decisions, I don't want to act like a robot. I need to measure the time and effort needed for each task, but I also need to consider how it will impact my overall goals. Some tasks might take a lot of time but don’t move me forward in a meaningful way. Others might seem small but could be the key to unlocking bigger opportunities. I need to have a degree of flexibility in understanding how the work fits into the bigger context of my overall goals.

Important Work Moves the Needle

An important lesson I’ve learned is that being busy doesn’t always mean being effective. Just because you have a long to-do list doesn’t mean you’re getting the most important things done. It’s easy to think that volume equals success. But I’ve realized that the value of my work isn’t based on how much I do—it’s based on how much impact it creates. A single phone call could generate more “value" than two weeks of operations or technical work, as an example.

Interestingly, small tasks can sometimes be far more valuable than big projects. A simple email to the right person or a quick decision can have a much bigger payoff than hours of work on something that doesn’t truly matter. I’ve only really been able to see this in roles in which I’m working across different disciplines. It’s all valuable, but sometimes, some action items or more valuable at different times. The key for me is understanding which tasks will move the needle and make a real difference.

My Implementation

I’ve always loved working from lists, but I wasn’t always prioritizing those lists based on value. A task that felt urgent might have taken priority over something more impactful, just because it seemed like it needed to be done right away. Now, I’m rethinking how I organize my action items.

I’m moving away from just reacting to what's urgent and focusing instead on what brings the most value. I’ve started to reprioritize all of my tasks based on value, not urgency. This means that some “urgent” tasks that don’t add much value might have to wait. That might feel uncomfortable at first, but I believe it’s going to produce the best overall results.

I also realize that constantly switching between tasks, especially when they’re low-priority but urgent, has cost me a lot of productivity in the past. Context switching—jumping from one task to another—can drain energy and slow progress. By focusing on high-value tasks first, I hope to spend more time on the work that matters and avoid wasting energy on distractions. Some people call it deep work.

Looking Ahead

For now, I’m committed to testing this new approach and seeing how it feels. I may need to adjust as I go, but I think focusing on ROI and the value of my work will help me become more effective and productive in the long run. I want my impact on organizations to be outsized. I want my brand of work to be known for having colossal impact - not just meaningful progress.