“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent & not enough time on what is important.” Steven R. Covey
When a client proudly told me, “Oh yes, I’ve identified my priorities. I have 34 of them,” I had to resist the urge to point out the obvious: this was exactly why he felt overwhelmed and ineffective. Instead, we explored what true prioritization looks like—and why narrowing focus is the key to real progress.
Many leaders fall into the same trap. They try to do everything and do it now, believing that productivity is measured by volume. In reality, this mindset creates the opposite effect: scattered attention, stalled initiatives, and chronic frustration.
As author Dan Millman said so well: ‘I learned that we can do anything, but we can’t do everything… at least not at the same time. So think of your priorities not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is everything.’
Using this approach reframes prioritization from a list of tasks to a sequence of focus. A priority isn’t just something important, it is something important right now.
Aldridge Kerr recommends establishing a prioritization criterion considering:
- Impact: which improvements will produce the greatest desired results?
- Ease/speed: which improvements can be addressed quickly (i.e., consider “low-hanging fruit”)?
This combination helps leaders avoid the extremes of chasing only big, complex initiatives or only quick wins. Instead, they build momentum while still moving toward meaningful outcomes.
Aldridge Kerr guides our Clients through our proprietary methodology referred to as “Doable, Chewable Chunks™.” This methodology helps leaders break down improvements into manageable, organized, and achievable pieces. It provides several advantages including but not limited to:
- Produces results more quickly
- Breaks insurmountable tasks/goals/projects into doable, manageable pieces
- Keeps initiatives on time and within budget
- Allows for large goals to feel achievable rather than intimidating
- Empowers non-technical or overwhelmed team members to take action
- Builds confidence and momentum through steady progress
When leaders focus on a small number of high‑value improvements, they create clarity, accountability, greater impact, and measurable progress.