Why I dropped due dates…

The more I study and practice productivity, the clearer it becomes that setting goals for the immediate future (what you intend to accomplish in the coming days) holds far more value than picking the “right” due dates months out.

Instead of obsessing over due dates and end dates, I've pivoted toward obsessing over prioritization, next actions, and time blocking (or as I like to call it, "the doing").

The result has been less stress, increased productivity, and expedited progress.

Now, I'm not implying that due dates have no place in our systems. There are moments when they're essential. But they shouldn't overshadow the significance of short-term planning. Real progress is driven by consistent, incremental steps forward.

The next action is the next physical, visible activity that progresses something toward completion. It should be so clear and simple that it needs very little thinking or effort to complete.

So, why so much emphasis on " the next action"?

We're so swamped with tasks in the hustle and bustle of operations, that it's easy to lose focus and feel overwhelmed. By identifying and focusing on the next actionable step, we narrow our focus, reduce decision fatigue, and streamline our effort. It becomes a mini-goal, a tangible step that brings us closer to our larger objectives.

Assigning due dates far into the future might give the illusion of organization, but it often distracts from the pressing tasks at hand. Consistent effort directed at the right things is far more impactful.

See you all next Thursday 👋

PS. Whenever you're ready... Here are three ways I can help you systemize & automate operations: