In this episode, Marc Whitehead and Diana Berry discuss productivity and the book The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity by Adam Merrill, Kory Kogon, and Leena Rinne. With the end of the year approaching, now is the time to set goals, budgets, and standards for the upcoming year. Learn how to delegate your tasks, prioritize work that matters, and become more productive by being less busy.
For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below
[1:32] Marc has had difficulty staying focused recently. Luckily, today’s episode is all about focus and productivity. Marc has brought in the book The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity.
[6:28] Marc has noticed that his physical fitness has slipped over the past few months, and he also has not been sleeping well. He has found that his resulting lack of energy has affected his productivity.
[11:05] To be productive, you have to be energetic. This is why your health is so important. Being productive is also about making good decisions. The way that you choose to make or delegate decisions is a key factor in your firm’s productivity.
[15:10] Delegating also strengthens the decision making of the people you are delegating tasks too. Diana has recognized this in herself as she has taken on more responsibility herself.
[17:42] Marc discusses the Eisenhower matrix, which gives a framework for delegating tasks. The purpose of the Matrix is to refocus business owners on important tasks.
[19:54] The second choice the book talks about is going for the extraordinary. Excellence is one of the firm’s core values. Marc points out that it is easier to go for the extraordinary when the ordinary is working well.
[21:44] The third choice is “schedule the big rocks, don’t sort gravel.” Rocks in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) terminology are long-term goals with milestones. Marc modifies this advice, encouraging his team to schedule their rocks to make sure they are working toward their long-term goals.
[24:29] Diana focuses on her priorities by writing her top three priorities in her planner each day.
[25:20] Rule your technology, don’t let your technology rule you. Our phones and long email chains can be distractions from the tasks that drive your firm forward.
[28:52] There are many ways that technology can be used to increase productivity. The main technology Marc Whitehead & Associates uses are Litify, Case Status, Quick Books Online, and AI tools like Chat GPT.
[32:11] The fifth choice is to fuel your personal fire and avoid getting burnt out. Because running a firm requires immense mental energy, and carefully allocating this energy is crucial to preventing burnout. Counterintuitively, being less busy can make you more productive.
[36:12] In the last months of the year, Marc is focused primarily on budgeting. Other than that, he plans to spend less time on trivial tasks.
Buy The Path to Extraordinary Productivity by Adam Merrill, Kory Kogon, and Leena Rinne: https://www.amazon.com/Choices-Path-Extraordinary-Productivity/dp/1476711828?tag=googhydr-20&hvqmt=&hvbmt={BidMatchType}&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_1ehi8sny9z_e
Listen to The Path to Extraordinary Productivity: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-5-Choices-Audiobook/B00PQVQ8R2
Visit the Successful Barrister website: https://www.successfulbarrister.com/
Visit the Marc Whitehead & Associates website: https://disabilitydenials.com/
Email Marc Whitehead: marc@marcwhitehead.com