Traction Tip: Rocks

The root of the word priority is “prior.” Simply, a priority is that which comes prior, or before, anything else. What is your priority for your business? Does everyone else in the company know this priority? Are they making decisions and completing tasks that help achieve this priority?

EOS® leadership teams meet every quarter to establish their Rocks – the 3-7 items that should be completed first during the quarter. The team brainstorms on what absolutely must happen in the quarter to help them achieve their 1-Year Goals. The list is then pared down and 3-7 Rocks are written SMART (Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Relevant. Time-bound).

The term Rocks was popularized by Stephen Covey in his book, First Things First. When rocks are put into a jar first, then you can also add some gravel, then sand, then water before the jar is completely full. If you add the items in the reverse order, you’ll never get the rocks to fit.

It’s not about working more. It’s about working to get the most important tasks completed prior to all the others. When you do, you will stay on track to hit the longer-term goals and ultimately the vision for the business.

Want to discuss how to set your Rocks? Let’s chat! Shoot me an email at brent.stromwall@eosworldwide.com.

Entrepreneurial Operating System® and EOS® are registered trademarks of EOS Worldwide (http://www.eosworldwide.com/).