In his book The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Living and Time Management, author Hyrum Smith introduces the Personal Productivity Pyramid, a tool for making sure our daily to-do lists are clear reflections of our guiding values and long-term goals. term.
1. Guiding values
At the bottom of the pyramid are our guiding values, those things we choose to govern or guide our lives. Here are some questions to help you identify and clarify yours:
· What inspires you?
· What makes your life worth living?
What would you miss the most if you lost it?
If there was a foot-wide metal beam laid across the Grand Canyon expanse, what would be important enough to venture across?
2. Long-term goals
In light of your highest and deepest values, what do you want for your life? What do you want for yourself? Choose at least one long-term goal that relates to each of the guiding values you identified in step one.
3. Medium-term objectives
Considering each of your goals, what are some projects you should focus on in the next 90 days? During the next month? How about this week?
4. Daily tasks
Finally, what is the next step? What do you need to do today to start/continue to reach your mid-term goals, move toward your long-term goals, and meet your highest values?
Today’s experiment:
If you haven’t already, complete your own personal productivity pyramid. Go through each of the above questions and answer them to the best of your ability. If you’re worried about how long this might take, start with your guiding values. When you are very clear about what matters most to you, you will know whether or not to take the time to complete today’s experiment!
Have fun, learn a lot and do the things that matter most to you!