A framework for getting the most important work done

June 30, 2022

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Framework of the Week: Focus on high-leverage work

Not all work is created equal, yet we often treat it as equal.

When you look at the profile of work, you can break it down into high leverage and low leverage tasks.

Low leverage tasks would be:

  • email

  • data entry

These low-level tasks help us feel productive, but they don’t actually create progress.

High leverage activities are the activities where the impact multiplies over time and dwarfs the initial input. These are the things that have a long-tail effect on outcomes. Examples would be:

  • automation

  • strategic planning

  • learning a new skill

Each of these activities requires upfront work and changes long-term results.

I love this framework because it can be applied to work and personal life.

Instead of mowing your lawn (which needs mowing each and every week), why don’t you focus on your long-term investment strategy?

Instead of entering that data one more time, why don’t you research a new software that will allow for automation of the task?

So the question becomes, how do we make this mental switch?

I’m still trying to figure this out myself because frankly, it’s a work in process. But, I have a few ideas:

  1. Schedule the big rocks

  2. Limit email to specific times

  3. Bring other people along with you

The first 2 are a function of the same thing: you have to be intentional with your time and protect time to work on the high-leverage ideas.

The last is just something I’ve recently seen: when I bring others into the process, it forces me to take it more seriously and actually follow through.

For years I just did 1 and 2. But I realized that those blocks just kept getting delayed because they weren’t really urgent. When I added 3, it forced me to hold those commitments.

Financial Concept of the Week

Choosing the right metric is essential to making sure your business is running well.

If you choose the wrong ones to focus on, conditions below the surface could be changing without you noticing it.

So, how do we know which ones to choose? I’ll dig into this more down the road, but I did a poll on Twitter and asked them what their favorite metric was. You can see the results below.

If you struggle with financial statements, join me for my cohort at the end of July. I'll teach you all the basics and help you figure out which metrics are right for your company.

Join today!

Podcast Episode

As a personal finance junkie, you know I have to have some favorites.

In this episode, I break down my top 5 and do a brief summary of each.

Question of the week

Choose one area and ask: what will I do this week to switch from a low-leverage activity to a high-leverage activity?

Let me know what you choose!