Stop Thinking! Just Set Priorities with a Matrix Instead
Author: tracysigler | Posted: March 31st, 2013 | | Tags: decision making, opportunity costs, opportunity priority matrix, priorities | No Comments »
(Photo by reingestalter)
OK, I don’t really mean you should stop “thinking” just stop making decisions about what to work on at work, at home, etc. Decisions will wear you out before you even get started. That’s why it’s called “decision fatigue.”
How can we simplify our lives? By coming with a tool to help us rationally process all the opportunities we have.
What kind of tool do we need? The Opportunity Priority Matrix! My wife and I even used a matrix to choose a car recently.
The steps are this simple:
- Choose the criteria that are important to you, or your business, or whatever you are working on.
- Choose a range of scores, e.g. 1-3, 1-10, etc.
- Score each “opportunity” across all the criteria.
The highest scoring item should be your highest priority, and on down the list. Allocate your time, focus and other resources accordingly. End needless debate, in your head or with other people, about priorities by pointing to the outcomes in matrix.
Why do we need this again? Because you’re are tired of making the same decisions over and over. AND pursuing any opportunity means you have less capacity to pursue other opportunities. That’s why it’s called “opportunity costs.” So we should work on the most important stuff, first. Read the rest of this entry »
