Summary

The article outlines a productivity method developed by Ivy Lee for Charles M. Schwab, which involves writing down six daily tasks, prioritizing them, focusing on one task at a time, working through the list, and repeating the process daily.

Abstract

The article "How To Accomplish More Than You Can Imagine In 5 Simple Steps" discusses a productivity strategy that was effective for Charles M. Schwab, an early twentieth-century steel magnate. The method, created by consultant Ivy Lee, starts with writing down the top six tasks for the day, prioritizing them by importance, and then focusing solely on the first task until completion. The process continues with working through the prioritized list and repeating this method daily. The strategy emphasizes the importance of single-tasking and prioritization to enhance productivity, suggesting that by following these steps, individuals can achieve a significant amount of high-priority work by the end of the week.

Opinions

The author believes that prioritization is key to productivity, suggesting that tasks should be ordered by importance to ensure the most critical work is completed first.
The article conveys the opinion that single-tasking, as opposed to multitasking, leads to better focus and efficiency, especially in today's environment filled with digital distractions.
The author suggests that consistency in following a productivity method is crucial for long-term success, as demonstrated by Schwab's continued use of Lee's method.
The article implies that the method's effectiveness is timeless, as it was developed in the early twentieth century but is still recommended for modern-day entrepreneurs and executives.
The author endorses preparing tasks in advance and reassessing priorities in the morning, indicating that this practice contributes to a more organized and productive workday.
The author values determination and views it as a key trait for overcoming challenges and achieving success beyond the average.

How To Accomplish More Than You Can Imagine In 5 Simple Steps

2020 is almost upon us, what would you like to achieve?

To answer that question, let’s look at the last century.

The American steel magnate, Charles M. Schwab, was one of the early twentieth century’s top businessmen.

Schwab turned Bethlehem Steel into the world’s second-largest steel manufacturer in its day.

Schwab achieved success at work partly through his relentless focus on efficiency.

But Schwab wanted more.

One day, he contracted consultant Ivy Lee to help his employees and executives become more productive.

He told Lee, “Show me a way to get more things done.”

Lee helped Schwab and his company accomplish more in five simple steps.

1. Write Down Your Top Six Tasks For The Day

Write them on a whiteboard, a simple notepad or in a digital tool. But get them out of your head and down somewhere you can track and tick off.

Depending on your role or company, these tasks might involve anything from calling a customer, preparing the monthly books or fixing an issue with a product.

Examples of my top six tasks include: writing 600 words, publishing an article and sourcing statistics for a presentation.

If it helps, maintain a long list of tasks for the week and pull six from this longer list before each workday.

2. Prioritize These Six Tasks

Put your most important task first, the next most important second and so on.

You stand a higher chance of completing the task at the top of the list first than at the end of the day. During the day, when life or a mini-crisis at work interrupts (as it inevitably will), your plans won’t fall to ruin.

Prioritization takes time to get right, which is why I like to set my tasks the night before and again the following morning.

If it helps, work as a U.S. president. Consider if tasks are urgent or important.

3. Work On Only The First Task

Schwab and his employees had it easy. In the early twentieth century, there were fewer digital distractions.

Today, working on one task means no email, phone calls or instant messaging. That’s no simple feat for the distracted entrepreneur or executive.

You could disconnect your computer from the internet, block distracting websites with software or simply set a timer.

Attend to these other distractions between tasks.

But give the work at hand your full attention, and you’ll burn through it like a ray of hot light through even the finest steel.

4. Work Through Your List

On a good day, you might complete three or four tasks before lunch and another two to three afterward. Even if you don’t get through everything on your list, there’s always tomorrow.

If you feel blocked or unmotivated, take heart from Schwab who said:

The hardest struggle of all is to be something different from what the average man is. I don’t believe in ‘super-men,’ for the world is full of capable men, but it’s the fellow with a determination that wins out.”

Work through your list of tasks with the meticulousness of a bookkeeper. By the time Friday rolls around, you’ll have completed up to 36 high-priority items.

5. Repeat

Schwab paid Lee $25,000 three months after his employees implemented this method. In today’s money that’s about $450,000.

Productivity is as much about being methodical and consistent as it is about getting things done.

Prepare your work in advance. Set priorities. And put first things first. Do that, and you’ll accomplish as much as even the most productive steel magnate.

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