What’s Meaningful?
You want to get to the work that matters? Decide what matters to you first.
It’s too easy to get bogged down by unnecessary tasks. These often become obligations that consume time without adding real value. But by focusing on what truly matters, teams can enhance productivity and engagement. Here’s a straightforward exercise to help clarify what meaningful work looks like for you and your team:
Create a T-Chart: Draw a simple two-column chart with “Typical Tasks” on the left and “Wish List” on the right.
List Your Tasks: In the left column, jot down 20 tasks you typically perform each month. Be specific—this could include meetings, reports, and other internal processes.
Identify Value: Circle the tasks on the left that genuinely add value to your work. You might find that only a few are worth your time.
Question the Rest: For any uncircled tasks, ask yourself why they’re on your list. Are they self-imposed obligations? What if you could eliminate them?
Wish List: Now, fill in the right column with 10 activities you wish you could be doing—those that contribute to growth, client relationships, and innovation.
Reflect on the Comparison: Compare the left side (Typical Tasks) with the right side (Wish List). What do you notice? In many cases, the left side is filled with the “work of work”—internal obligations that drain time and energy. Meanwhile, the right side showcases external, growth-focused tasks that define meaningful work for you and your team.
The goal here is to minimize the tasks on the left to create space for the important activities on the right. By shifting from a clock-based mindset (how you spend time) to a compass-based approach (how you invest time), you’ll empower your team to focus on what truly drives success.
Dive deeper with FutureThink’s Micro Course Collection: Get To The Work That Matters With Simplicity