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Do What Matters Most

summary ofDo What Matters MostBook by Rob Shallenberger, Steve Shallenberger

13 min
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You’ll learn

  • How precise vision sharpens life's focus
  • The art of balancing work and home life
  • Strategies to conquer procrastination
  • How to master your week with pre-planning

first KEY POINT

Focusing on the right things allows you to make real progress

There isn’t one person on the planet who doesn’t want to perform to the best of their ability. Everyone wants to progress toward their goals while ticking off all the items on their to-do list.When you’re productive, you feel good; you have a sense of achievement, and you feel like you’re moving forward. You’re far more likely to procrastinate when you’re stuck with a long list of things to do. That leads to feeling stuck, almost as if you’re knee-deep in quicksand.The single best way to avoid this situation is to make sure that you’re focusing your time on the things that matter. Don’t become distracted by things that aren’t all that important, and don’t allow yourself to become so distracted that something that should take half an hour takes three.By prioritizing the things in life that matter, you’ll move in the right direction. Over the last few years, this has become even more important as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Plans sailed out of the window, and people had to work in ways that were utterly alien to them. But, when you prioritize and allow yourself to make progress, you’re more flexible in your approach, and you’re able to roll with life’s punches.

Don’t fall for procrastination’s false claims. Putting things off until tomorrow may make today easier, but the next day will be much harder.

Without a doubt, prioritizing makes you a more productive person, but for businesses, having a leader who knows how to prioritize also affects their success. Productivity means profits. That’s what every business wants. The problem? Most people have no clue where to start.You will learn the three secrets to becoming a more productive person in this summary. By following Rob & Steve Shallenberger’s advice, you’ll understand how to prioritize your time effectively, focusing on all the roles you need to fulfill in life. That way, you can make progress toward your larger goals and become a more productive person overall. After all, we all want to achieve our goals, don’t we? By making baby steps toward them, you won’t be thinking, “what if.”

second KEY POINT

A vision, goals, and the ability to plan are all you need to move toward productivity

Rob & Steve Shallenberger spent decades researching business leaders and how they perform. Their research taught them that most leaders focus on the wrong things, and the tasks that are more important than anything else tend to be overlooked or don’t have enough time dedicated to them. This research led to their first book, Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders. But they didn’t want to stop there.You don’t have to be a business leader to want to be productive. Absolutely anyone can use the three strategies contained within this summary. While business leaders can influence their employees by being better with their own time management skills, knowing how to be productive will help absolutely everyone.The three steps toward a 30-50% increase in productivity include:
• Developing your personal vision.
• Identifying and setting goals for each of your life roles.
• Effective planning for every week.Your vision is crucial because it motivates you to keep going and allows you to stay on track. Yet, most people are confused about what their vision is. They know they want to move forward, but they’re unsure exactly where to or what for. What do you want to achieve? What are you doing all of this for? These are essential questions to ask yourself.

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first KEY POINT

Being overworked is not something to be proud of

second KEY POINT

Your personal vision is a beam of light in the darkness

third KEY POINT

You should aim to be productive in every role you have in life

fourth KEY POINT

The art of planning takes your goals and makes them a reality

fifth KEY POINT

Conclusion

About the author

Rob Shallenberger and Steve Shallenberger are famous speakers and writers explaining leadership and productivity. Their background in business and marketing makes their advice extra practical.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time about?

'Do What Matters Most' by Michael Hyatt focuses on effective leadership and time management by emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision and actionable plans. The book offers strategies to prioritize tasks, ensure productivity, and align daily activities with long-term goals.

What are the key takeaways from Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time?

Key takeaways from 'Do What Matters Most' include the necessity of defining your vision to guide decisions, using strategic planning to manage your time efficiently, and the importance of prioritizing what truly matters in both personal and professional life. These insights help individuals and leaders align their actions with their values.

Is Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time worth reading?

Yes, 'Do What Matters Most' is highly regarded for its practical advice on leadership and productivity, making it worth reading for anyone seeking to enhance their effectiveness and time management skills. The author's actionable insights empower readers to take control of their lives and achieve their goals.

How many pages is Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time and when was it published?

'Do What Matters Most' spans 238 pages and was published on October 5, 2010. This length provides a concise yet comprehensive exploration of the core principles of leadership and time management.

Who is the author of Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time?

The author of 'Do What Matters Most' is Michael Hyatt, a well-known leadership mentor and productivity expert. His experience in both the business and publishing industries lends authority to the insights provided in the book.