#172 | How To Prioritize & Simplify Your Work With Lisa Bodell

I’m all about prioritizing and simplifying work but I’m not going to lie I’m a little hesitant about all of the AI hacks I’m seeing online. Sometimes doing less does mean the quality of your work suffers and I’m not all about that..

That’s why when I found Lisa Bodell I knew we had to chat. On this latest episode of Coffee With Kim, Lisa Bodell talked about ways to cut through the clutter and focus on what really matters — so let’s dive into some of our key points!

Investing vs Spending Time

Lisa shared the idea of investing time versus spending time. Time is our most valuable asset, and Lisa reminded us that we should protect it fiercely, just like we do with our money. It’s all about making conscious choices: Are you investing your time in activities that bring value, or are you just spending it on endless, meaningless tasks?

A stat that blew me away: People only spend 14% of their time on meaningful work! Can you believe that? Much of our day gets stolen by what Lisa calls “time crimes”—useless meetings, redundant tasks, or waiting for approvals. To reclaim some of that time, Lisa suggests taking a hard look at your calendar and freeing up just one hour next week. It might not sound like a lot, but it’s a game-changer.

Strategies For Teams

Lisa also introduced the MURA acronym to help us make tasks easier for our team: Minimal, Understandable, Repeatable, Accessible. This can help our team be empowered to make better decision when it comes to tasks and will free up more time!

One of my favorite strategies from our chat is the “kill two stupid rules” exercise. Imagine how liberating it would be to challenge and eliminate those outdated or pointless rules that only add to our workload. Lisa gave the example of how some companies have simplified their processes simply by asking employees to pinpoint and nix unnecessary rules.

Are you living by the clock or by the compass? Lisa pointed out that being organized doesn’t necessarily mean being simplified. It’s about setting a clear direction (the compass) rather than just packing your schedule (the clock). And let’s not forget the “yes if” strategy to negotiate time. Instead of just saying yes to every task, add conditions that help you manage your workload better. This can create a more balanced and productive environment for you.

Let’s break free from the “cult of busy” and make time for what truly matters. Here’s to a more focused and meaningful work ahead!

Want To Skip Around? Timestamps:

05:22 Tips for prioritizing meaningful work over busywork

10:35 How to negotiate your time with a “yes if” approach

15:40 Finding out why time is more valuable than money in business

18:55 How to spot and automate repeatable tasks with AI

25:16 Understanding energy drains and simplifying tasks

Links Mentioned:

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/lisa-bodell

Book Recommendation: Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

If You Loved Today’s Episode:

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