Method Ivy Lee: how to make a list of cases to reach peak production
Productivity / / December 23, 2019
By 1918, Charles M. Schwab was one of the most wealthy people in the world. He led the company Bethlehem Steel, at the time the largest shipbuilding and the second largest steel company in the United States. The famous inventor Thomas Edison once called it "a masterful businessman." Schwab has always tried to be ahead of its competitors.
Once the named the businessman turned to consultant Ivy Ledbetter Lee to increase the effectiveness of your team and find the best way of doing things. Lee himself was a successful entrepreneur and a pioneer in the field of public relations.
Schwab has invited a consultant to his office and asked him to help improve performance. In response, Lee asked for permission to speak with each control Schwab for 15 minutes. And when it came to paying, the guest refused to take the money at once, "you can in three months to send me a check for any amount that will count deserved."
Ivy Lee's approach to the management of the affairs
During the 15-minute talks with management consultant divided the simplest way to achieve maximum productivity:
- At the end of each day write down the six most important things that need to be completed within the next day. Do not exceed this amount.
- Arrange recorded case in the order of their importance.
- At the beginning of each working day concentrate on the first list item. Bring it started to end, and only then proceed to the next step.
- Proceed in the same way with the rest of the affairs of the list. At the end of the day carry the unfinished tasks in the new list of the six cases for the next day.
- Repeat this process daily.
The strategy seemed to be very simple, but Schwab and his team decided to try it. Three months later the businessman was so impressed with the result that once again called Ivy Lee in the office and wrote him a check for $ 25 000. The modern equivalent of this sum - 400 thousand dollars.
Why is it so simple method works
He greatly simplifies case management
Critics call such strategies are too superficial and do not take into account all the subtleties of life. What if there will be something unplanned? Is not it better to take advantage of high-tech tools? But the complexity of decisions - this is something that is often difficult to workflow. Of course, surprises can not be avoided. Just ignore them, if possible, and if not - to deal with them and return to the priority list as soon as possible. Follow simple rules to solve complex problems.
It makes taking the necessary decisions
Hardly including 6 concluded any magic. With the same success it is possible to focus on five tasks on a daily basis. Everyone should determine their limits and take account of it. When a person is overwhelmed with a lot of ideas, the best thing he can do - to select the main and put everything else. Self-restraint could benefit. If you focus on something one, you will divert all at once.
It helps to start
The biggest obstacle to the goal - it Start. You may be difficult to break away from the couch. But if you start to run, to complete the training will be much easier. Lee makes the method defined by the tasks the night before their execution, which helps to adjust itself to the beginning of the working day in advance. From the ability to start depends on the result of the work.
He teaches to be consistent
Modern society loves multitasking. Contrary to popular myth, become more engaged not mean to get better. Conversely, a smaller number of priorities, increases productivity. If you follow the experts in any case: athletes, artists, scientists, teachers or managers, you'll see them in common - focus on the important things. It is easy to explain. You can not succeed in something one, if you constantly distracted by the other 10 cases. Mastery requires consistency and concentration on the essentials.
Thus, in order to be productive, it is sufficient to perform only the really important things in the right order.