Coming back from holidays is a good time to analyze how we work.  As there is always more to do in a day than physically possible, a necessary exercise is needed.  Simply put it requires dividing the urgent from the important.  What divides the urgent from the important can be measured by time and impact.  What is urgent often has little impact in the long run, but clearly that which is important has great impact.

Dealing with the important is well, important!  But the urgent takes so much of our time and energy – it can keep us from what really matters.  

When I get back in the office I make a list of tasks lying before me, then begin to prioritize.  It’s amazing how many things don’t seem so urgent when they are laid beside those things that are important.