When was the last time you listed all your work responsibilities and ranked them according to enjoyment and value? If you’re spending much time on tasks that aren’t fun or valuable then you shouldn’t be doing them–automate, delegate, or eliminate them. And, if possible, try to get the things you enjoy most to produce the most value for you.

Example: my blogging. Two years ago when I started this blog I had little reason to write entries like this–most of the business I sought related to Microsoft Office productivity…and, to be frank, I no longer get a thrill out of explaining most Microsoft Office end user issues online. But I like writing about bigger issues and offering advice. Now that I’m working on a productivity application and have become more involved in certain circles, it makes business sense to write about this stuff. What I enjoy is aligned with where I derive value.

Counterexample: software development. I really enjoy solving technology problems…and getting my hands dirty with the code (when I’m familiar with the language). But it’s not a good use of my time because I can’t make much progress on a programming challenge when I have a dozen other projects to manage. Instead I now focus more on the architecture or user experience of technology problems, which gives me a similar buzz without the same timesuck.

I’d encourage you’d to make a list of all your responsibilities and figure out why you’re doing them, and what you get out of them. Consider using elance.com or hiring an intern to outsource the less useful or less enjoyable activities. Consider finding ways to get more value (even if it means spending more time on) the things you like. Decide what your perfect world would look like in terms of responsibiltiies–what would you have to do to get there?

My perfect world, at least as of today, would be full of this sort of writing, solving technology challenges at a high level, deciding what to pursue for my business, and collaborating with bright people (both new and old ones).

I don’t offer this advice just to make you productive–it’s because of two things that I/we often forget:

• what we enjoyed when we started our business/job isn’t necessarily what we enjoy most now (and we’re not necessarily doing what we expected to be doing)
• making money is only part of the equation. If we’re not doing what we enjoy (which, to me, has a lot to do with how much of an impact I’m making and on how many people I’m reaching), then seriously consider altering course

Filed under: 4-Hour Workweek, Business, Happiness, Productivity, SET Consulting, Social Media, Technology

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