Goal Setting with ABC

Have you ever heard of the ABC Method?
It is indeed a very powerful priority setting technique that you can use every single day. The power of ABC method lies in its simplicity. Here’s how it works: You start with a list of everything you have to do for the coming day. Think on paper. You then place an A, B, or C before each item on your list before you begin the first task.

Determine Your Top Priorities
An “A” item is defined as something that is very important. This is something that you must do. If you have more than one “A” task, you prioritize these tasks by writing A-1, A-2, A-3, and so on in front of each item. Your A-1 task is the BHG Big Hairy Goal, or the biggest and hairiest goal of all.

A “B” item is defined as a task that you should do, but it is nowhere as important as an “A” task. The rule is that you should never do a “B” task when there is an “A” task left undone. You should never be distracted by a “B” task when there is a Big Hairy Goal waiting for you is defined as something that would be nice to do, but for which there are no consequences at all, whether you do it or not. “C” tasks include phoning a friend, having coffee or lunch with a coworker or completing some personal business during work hours. This sort of activity has no affect at all on your work lif. After you have applied the ABC Method to your list, you will now be completely organized and ready to get more important things done faster.

Start with your A-1 task
The key to making this ABC Method work is for you to now discipline yourself to start immediately on your “A-1″ task and then stay at it until it is complete. Use your willpower to get going and stay going on this one job, the most important single task you could possibly be doing.

This habit and ability to think through, analyze and determine your priorities can be your springboard to higher levels of accomplishment, and greater self-esteem, self-respect and personal pride. When you develop the habit of concentrating on your “A-1,” most important activity, you will start getting more done than any two or three people around you.

Try it out, it works,…and its fun!
Practice this ABC Method every day and on every work or project list, before you begin work, for the next month. By that time, you will have developed the habit of setting and working on your highest priority tasks continously and you will be much more productive!

Source: Brian Tracy Newsletter