The 100 year old Ivy Lee Method of Task Management

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Ivy Lee was a PR consultant in the early part of the 20th century. In 1918, Charles Schwab, President of Bethlehem Steel invited Lee to help him increase productivity and efficiency in his organization.

Lee reportedly told him that he needed 15 mins with each of his executives and if things work out after 3 months he could pay him whatever he felt it was worth.

During his 15 mins with each executive, he outlined a simple method.

1. At the end of every day write down not more than 6 important things you need to do tomorrow.
2. Prioritize them in order of importance
3. Next morning focus only on the first task. Complete the first before moving to the next.
4. At EOD, move unfinished items to a new list of 6 tasks for the next day
5. Repeat daily

After 3 months Schwab was so happy with the outcome that he sent him a cheque of $25,000.

Source : Fast company

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