Chapter 7. Overcoming Obstacles to Productivity

In this chapter, we will look at ways to complete tasks efficiently. Despite best intentions, many tasks do not get done on time if done at all. Peter Drucker defined effectiveness as doing the right things and efficiency as doing things right. Both are needed for a complete and comprehensive time management system.

In the previous chapters, we addressed what to do (task selection through prioritization and filtration) and why we do them (goals, intermediary objectives, and action plans). In this chapter, we will address how the tasks must be acted upon in order to complete them in the shortest time and with the least effort. In other words, effectiveness is a process for task selection and efficiency is a strategy for task execution: the former is used to manage tasks within the available time and the latter is used to manage time within the task. Effectiveness is a strategic objective; efficiency is achieved through the use of tactics.

Why...