Training Summary: Managing Multiple Priorities
Instructor: Anne Pritchard
MicroAssist July 31, 2006
Topic: How to become effective and efficient in handling multiple goals.

General Comments: The class was held at the Norris Conference Center next to Beall’s at Northcross Mall. MicroAssist provided a nice lunch. The instructor followed the agenda in her handout, but she didn’t read her handout. She aligned the topic with appropriate analogies and solicited input from the students. She was prepared and enjoyable. This was a nice refresher course.

Highlights from class: You can manage multiple priorities with a shotgun (random) or laser beam (target) method. It is easier to hit a specific target if the goals are well-defined. Success can’t be measured subjectively without clear goals. Without a plan, you are a slave to activities. SMART Goal setting: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely.
Goals are attainable if employees are motivated, but motivation for each person is different. Motivation can be defined as gaining or losing something.

There are three basic motivations: Fear, incentive or attitude. Fear can paralyze people while an incentive can be temporary and expected. Incentives should be fair and appropriate. For example, don't give someone golf balls as a reward if they don't play golf. It is easier to motivate those with a good attitude.
The goals you seek must be supported by the attitudes you have or you will have to settle for the results your attitudes will bring you. If you are not getting results, you need to change your attitude. For example, if you respond to interruptions negatively, you will be perceived as difficult. You need to learn how to professionally say no.
A high payoff activity should follow the 80/20 rule: 20% activity should generate 80% in results. An activity that brings the biggest investment for the time invested.

Results Management
Reactive Management: 1. Do, 2. Manage, 3. Communicate, 4. Plan and set goals
Proactive Management: 1. Plan and set goals, 2. Communicate, 3. Manage and schedule, 4. Do in priority order

The instructor reviewed the four quadrants: Important Urgent, Important Not-Urgent, Not Important Urgent and Not Important Not Urgent. Goal setting occurs in the Important Not-Urgent quadrant; we should spend most of our time in this quadrant.

In order to be successful, you should build a roadmap with benchmarks and milestones to help you identify where you are now and where you are going. For example, you shouldn’t make a trip to Dallas without first knowing the road conditions and if there are special places to stop along the way.

Setting goals will help you work smarter, not harder!