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The Daily Edge

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The Daily Edge

Simple Strategies to Increase Efficiency and Make an Impact Every Day

Berrett-Koehler,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Boost your productivity and time management skills with 35 simple tips.

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Editorial Rating

8

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  • Applicable

Recommendation

“Aristotle said, ‘We are all destined by our own habits.’” You shape your character by how you act and think and by what you focus on most of the time. Author David Horsager says you can alter your habits by exercising perseverance and developing your sense of responsibility. You may find it easy to learn new techniques for boosting productivity, or you might find it hard to overcome old “counterproductive patterns.” But, you can change your behavior, Horsager says, by creating conditions that enable you to move ahead. His succinct advice helps you on your way with 35 practical tips. getAbstract recommends his pithy manual to anyone seeking to be more productive and to achieve a higher quality of life.

Summary

Being Productive

Business leaders often use their time effectively, though sometimes at the expense of great stress and weakened personal relationships. Instead, follow these tips to become more productive without alienating anyone:

  1. Make a “90-Day Quick Plan” – Try planning for three months ahead. You might find anything shorter too brief. A period longer than 90 days could cause you to lose focus. Create a list of the tasks you can do now and the dilemmas that await you. Keeping both relatively easy targets and challenges in mind, identify your short- and long-term goals. Examine your reasons for wanting to pursue each goal and how you intend to achieve it. Re-examine your plan several times before you put it in motion.
  2. “Difference making actions” – These are the most vital tasks you need to complete daily to achieve your goals. Each DMA should move you closer to attaining your goals. Address your DMAs each morning. Strive for achievable objectives.
  3. “Power hour” – Dedicate 60 minutes every day to your daily targets, without interference from phone calls or emails.
  4. “Focus...

About the Author

Writer, businessman, academic and entrepreneur David Horsager, an adjunct professor of organizational leadership at Bethel University, heads Horsager Leadership. He studies and speaks on how trust affects performance.

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    C. P. 7 years ago
    This summary gives a list of to-do's and good practices in time management and made me remind myself of what I am still lacking of. Thanks. #30DaysOfSummaries
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    J. G. 7 years ago
    Some great takeaways in this reading. I especially like the 90 day plan, and the advice that you don't have to start at the beginning @getabstract @davidhorsager
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    J. W. 7 years ago
    #30DaysOfSummaries Very practical tips. And happy to know most of them have been already applied. :)