Figure out a system to prioritize your schedule. If you want to move into the next leadership position, you need to manage your current schedule expertly.

1. Identify any tasks or events that can only occur at specified times. Try to focus only on accomplishing the tasks relating to the event and minimize as many distractions as possible.

2. When you are confronted with something that could be considered a distraction, ask yourself two questions:

   • Is the new task directly related to achieving what I am doing right now?

   • Can I do the new task later and still get the result I am looking for?

3. Take a 30-day calendar and mark off any upcoming events outside of work that you need to attend–birthday parties, trips, graduations, holidays, etc. For weeks that are impacted by those events:

   • What type of planning or schedule adjustments can you make to ensure that the activities crucial to success still occur?

   • It’s not the events outside of work that derail an agent’s success; it’s the lack of planning leading up to the event.

   • This technique can help you manage your time.