Mastering the Art of Task Management: The 5 x D Process

By Darren Finkelstein

The Accountability Guy®

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When in doubt, it’s time to roll out my trusty and proven 5 x D process.

✅Do

✅Delay

✅Delegate

✅Delete

✅Just contact Darren

Tackling the Hardest Tasks First

If you’re feeling sluggish and not ready to fight with Rambo for another few rounds, then pick the easier task on your To-Do List and get it done. Nothing wrong with getting into a routine of picking a task and smashing it. Just getting into a routine of completing tasks puts you in a better headspace and frame of mind to take on the harder tasks and get through your To-Do’s.

Overcoming Procrastination by Taking Action

Is there one task that always ends up at the bottom of the pile? If you find you’re avoiding it, ask yourself and those in your team if there’s somebody else to do it, or you can delay it until you have time.

Perhaps you can delegate it to someone who has the time to do it now, maybe they have a special interest or subject-matter expertise in this field, maybe their time is better used by attending to this task and your time is better spent doing other things? Could it be their job to do it or allow an eager team member to step up and take this task off your hands?

We all know a good stretch of their capability is a great opportunity to learn, grow, make mistakes and get out of their comfort zone.

The Power of Delegation

It’s ok to also delete the task (naturally, discuss it with the task initiator) and stop pretending you can or should do it. Ask yourself, if it’s not going to get you closer to achieving your own key performance indicator (KPI) or it’s not strategically important to your business, or there is no visible or quantifiable upside for getting this done, then getting rid of the task is perfectly fine and you have permission to dump it.

Knowing When to Delete Tasks

‘Accountability’ is a powerful word, yet most don’t know what it means. For most of us, that ‘A’ word sends a shiver up our spine yet most don’t know what it really means, and nor can they spell it correctly. 

What we do know is that we must ‘step up’ and be responsible for something. Accountability means delivering on a promise or honouring a commitment made to others and to ourselves. You see, there is a difference between Accountability and Responsibility, they are cousins, but not the same.

The Importance of Accountability

Let me explain. You are responsible for things and you are accountable to people. So it is essential that if we want to get stuff done we will need a person with whom we can work, someone in a central role to hold you to account.

To find this person, they need to have a proven track record of being able to get things done themselves. ‘Have they walked the talk’

✅Accountability increases

✅Activity

Activity increases Opportunity.

That’s precisely how I can help, I’m Darren Finkelstein ‘your accountability coach’, let me share with you my background and why I’m the right person for the job.

I’m an Accountability Coach, Business Advisor and Presenter that delivers measurable results.

I’m well-credentialed throughout my own entrepreneurial journey which has been filled with high achievement.

I bring solid skills with an informed perspective that confirms – ‘I walk the talk’.

DELIVERING WHAT YOU PROMISE
and getting your team to do the same

Do you meet the obligations, promises, goals and commitments made to yourself and to others?

The American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) did a study in 2010 on accountability and found out that the probability of completing a goal is:

10% – If you have an idea or a goal actually.
25% – If you consciously decide you will do it.
40% – If you decide when you will do it.
50% – If you plan how you will do it.
65% – If you commit to someone, you will do it.
95% – If you have a specific accountability appointment with a person you’ve committed to.

After reading this, how likely are you to achieve your; goals, promises, obligations and commitments alone?

Book a 15-minute Accountability Power-Play Session with me ‘The Accountability Guy’ and we’ll examine exactly where you’re at, what’s worked and what hasn’t, and we’ll take a look at your priorities to set the path moving forward.

During this fast-paced, speed-coaching session we’ll…

Click here to BOOK now.

For more information call me directly: +61 418-379 369.

About The Author

Darren Finkelstein, The Accountability Guy®, is the founder of TICK THOSE BOXES, a specialised accountability coaching practice. Darren is a formidable international accountability coach, business advisor, mentor, and author/speaker, fostering development and measurable results in entrepreneurship, leadership, and accountability. Darren’s tale is one of perseverance, self-reinvention, and resilience.

With compelling execution, Darren has empowered high-achieving individuals and teams from Australia and New Zealand to Latin America, Europe, Asia, the UK, and the US to embrace accountability; after all, it is your superpower.

Darren’s one-on-one and group coaching programs are based on his bestselling business book, “The Accountability Advantage – Play your best game” and the latest, release “NO’ – Building a life of choice without obligation”.

Darren has an impressive background in business, having held the role of “Manager of Commercial Markets” at Apple Australia during the Steve Jobs revolution.

He enthusiastically “walks the talk,” having also successfully sold and exited his lifestyle businesses, which served as the impetus for establishing his coaching and mentoring business.

Join Darren on this transformative quest to accomplish the remarkable.

Read Darren’s full bio here:
https://tickthoseboxes.com.au/about/