Early in the morning, before the day gets started, I take a few minutes in the stillness to clearly determine what is essential for the coming day and what I must focus on. This has been a game changer for me for many years.
I write it out on a 3×5 card and then focus my daily work around the essential. At the end of the day before I shut down I debrief where I spent my time. This daily practice has taught me to say “no” a lot more than I did before.
Stay focused and never forget that time is the only commodity that we never get back.
The Author is currently serving as an active-duty military officer. Any comments or recommendations on this post or on this site are solely and expressly my personal views and do not represent the position of any branch of the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.