Prioritization Frameworks
| Framework | How It Works |
|---|
| Eisenhower Matrix | Urgent/Important grid — do, schedule, delegate, delete |
| Ivy Lee Method | End each day: write 6 tasks for tomorrow, prioritize, do in order |
| Eat The Frog | Do your most dreaded task first — everything else feels easy after |
| MIT (Most Important Task) | Identify 1-3 MITs daily — if nothing else gets done, day is a win |
Deep Work Protocol
| Element | Setup |
|---|
| Time Block | 2-3 hour uninterrupted blocks — morning when willpower is highest |
| Environment | Phone in another room, notifications off, single focus |
| Ritual | Same time, same place, same setup — trains your brain to enter deep mode |
| Recovery | Take real breaks between blocks — walk, don't scroll |
Saying No
| Scenario | Response |
|---|
| Meeting with no agenda | "Could you share the agenda first? I want to make sure I come prepared" |
| Extra project | "I'd love to help — which of my current priorities should I deprioritize?" |
| Networking request | "I'm heads-down this month — could we connect next quarter?" |
Weekly Review (30 min)
| Question | Why |
|---|
| What moved forward? | Celebrate wins — builds momentum |
| What got stuck? | Identify blockers — solve or escalate |
| What got dropped? | Was it the right call? If not, why did it slip? |
| Next week's MITs? | 1-3 most important — everything else is optional |
Pro Tip: Manage energy, not time. Your brain has 3-4 hours of peak focus per day. Protect those hours ruthlessly for your most important work — everything else can wait.