• Work you do has to be measured in the value it creates, not the time it takes you to do.
• I like the idea of measuring work on three dimensions: urgency, value and interestingness. Obviously minimise the stuff scoring low on any of the categories.

Do less, and obsess

Really the key to doing well at work. My favourite.

This value really emphasises two things. Firstly that doing less is essential for an uncluttered mind and calendar, and secondly that doing less is not enough by itself – you must also obsess. Else you are doing less and coasting.

A nice practical tip: consolidate powerpoint slides. Try to use 1-3 slides where you can, but really make them high impact.

• first benefit: time within attention span
• second benefit: your message is conveyed better because you stayed within the attention span and you have some really good slides.

A big part of this is figuring out how to say no. - “I would like to do this, but this current project needs 100% of my time to deliver something of great value for the next few weeks. I can do it if it is needed, but project X will be of reduced quality.”

Obsessing also means implementing strategies to maximise return: - get in early, leave early - WFH or coffee shop or meeting room.

Argue and be assertive:

I think this value is phrased differently, but for me that is really what it comes down to.

In meetings you are assertive of your point of view, which is only possible if you are 100% prepared for every meeting. This will involve blocking out time beforehand to get ready. (maybe half hour to an hour). In this time

• Write down 3 questions you have
• Write down the assumptions you want to test.
• Write down scenarios to test

A good fighting strategy is to play the devils advocate.

Either way, be 100% committed to whatever path of action is chosen, especially if it isn’t your way.

Forceful champions

This chapter had some good points. Mainly:

• It doesn’t matter how good your idea is. Selling it is 80% of the work.
• Understanding why people oppose your idea is key if you ever want it to take off.
• Changing opinions is about changing emotions.
• Demonstrations are a useful way to change opinions.

Redesign your work:

• The inside out vs outside in view: Inside out views work as tasks to be completed. Outside in views work as generating value. This outside viewpoint allows you to confirm which activities are generating value, and which arent.
• To identify pain points, you can ask why things are done a certain way. This gives you things to solve…but keep it within your ‘do less, and obsess’ domain.