Overcome the lie that everything matters equally.

To be successful, you must operate from a clear sense of priority. Not all of your tasks are equally important; remember the 80/20 principle that states that roughly 20% of your effort leads to 80% of your results. Prioritize your tasks according to the level of importance and narrow your to-do lists down to one core activity that will enable maximum productivity. Say no to tasks that will keep you from engaging in that core activity.

1. Look through your lists and identify which items are among the 20% of tasks that will help you achieve 80% of your results.
   To identify these tasks, ask yourself, “Which one project or activity, if I did it in an excellent and timely fashion, would have the greatest, positive consequences in my work or personal life?”

2. Devote more time to these tasks.
   After all, they will be giving you most of your results!