"First Task, Faster!"

"First Task, Faster!"
I have two sticky notes on my desk. They're visual cues to keep me dialed in, regardless of what changes on my screen.

One is long-term oriented.
The other is immediate, usually for a behavior shift.

The current shift underway:
"First task, faster!"

A few weeks ago, I noticed my highest output days had one thing in comment: how quickly I completed my first task.

The longer it took me to checkoff that first task, the lower my overall output.

As I considered why, a pattern emerged. My time to first task is slowest when:
1. Unplanned tasks creep in
2. Planned stuff isn't properly documented
3. I start the day with meetings
4. I start by checking messages/email

The first completed task doesn't merely reduce my list by one. It sets the pace for everything that comes next. And when I control the pace, I'm more likely to control the outcome.

First task, faster.