Something within us wants to believe that we can do everything.  And the result:  we get tired, over-worked, stretched thin, and unable to fully devote ourselves to the things that are most important.

Examining highly effective people, you find they are successful and effective because they choose to narrow their work to a few things.  Seth Godin doesn't teach ballet, Dave Ramsey doesn't try to pursue a career in golf, and Apple doesn't try to develop products for NASA. Yet, all three are incredibly successful, effective, and productive.

The reason?  They narrow their work and streamline their focus.

What could this look like in your life?  Take some time to list different aspects of your life.  Once you've made this list, go through each thing, and circle the top three to five that you know are the most effective, promising, and productive for you.  Choose things that can't be delegated, that no one else can do but you.

Maybe your strength is that of vision:  you have a gift and a skill for coming up with new ideas and putting them into action.  If this is one of your strengths, why not find a way to delegate the task of setting up meetings and organizing a calendar.

The point is to narrow down the things you're doing.  This enables you to focus intensely on just a few things, and maximize the results you will have.

Not sure what to do with the other things on your list?

• you can delegate:  if the task is something that still needs to happen, find someone to whom you can delegate it.  Find an assistant to help manage your calendar and your inbox.  Contract someone to manage any writing you have.  Let someone else be responsible for a meeting if it’s not a necessity for you to do so.
• you can delete:  maybe something on your list doesn't really need to be there at all.  If it's something that is not essential to the success of yourself or your company, get rid of it.
• you can forget about it for awhile:  sometimes, you have to practice the art of intentional neglect.  There might be some things that you want on your list that you just can't do right now.  If you're unwilling to delegate or delete it, be willing to forget about it for a season until there is a time that focusing on it will lead to greater productivity and efficiency.

What is on your list of things for which you could focus your time and your efforts?  What kind of plan will you have to begin focusing solely on these things, and to move all the others from your list?