Effective Construction Contractors Prioritize
On any given day, the following potential priorities may shift and move from one position to another. Top that with the knowledge that these are not the only priorities faced by astute construction contractors. It becomes even more imperative that learning the skills associated with prioritizing becomes a priority.
Project procurement
Risk management
Technological tools and resources
Workforce development
Job milestones and deadlines
Client satisfaction
Financial stability and progress
Additionally, priorities can change based on seasonal issues, job status, or other unknown circumstances.
Align Daily Priorities with Long-Term Priorities
The bedrock foundation of developing prioritization skills begins with understanding that each priority comprises a set of tasks. For instance, you can’t simply wish your employees will perform better over time and see much if any, improvement. You must provide incentives, allow opportunities to learn, employ systems that encourage engagement, and so on.
Therefore, if you wish to have highly skilled and well-developed employees, you must include big-picture workforce development in your list of priorities. And it is the building blocks associated with the workforce development goal that aligns somewhere in your daily priorities list.
Make a List
Knowing your personal and professional priorities is a must. Make a list. If you don’t like the old-fashioned pen-to-paper list-making, try a different method of getting the priorities out of your head. Use post-it notes, include them on your calendar, try an online reminder system, tell them to your executive assistant and have him or her create a document for you; do whatever it takes.
If you can remember everything, then don’t bother with a list. You know I jest!
List making is a tool that supports you. Use it!
There’s evidence that writing down uncompleted tasks (in the overall goal of planning) “can eliminate the cognitive effects of unfulfilled goals.”
Devote Time to Prioritization Habits and Skills
Set aside time daily to make sure your priorities are what you’re working on for that day. Simple. And oh, so tricky. Developing prioritization skills, like developing other skills, takes thoughtful planning, continued practice, and dogged determination.
Focus on what matters – tasks related to your priorities.
Determine if this is the right time to deal with a given matter.
Check to see if you have the information you need to proceed.
Decide if a project or task should be assigned to someone else.
Communicate with others who will be affected.
Add to your prioritization habits:
Develop a “stop doing” list. Identify the things you need to equip others to do.
Begin a “handing off” process – systemize, delegate, or delete.
Keep in mind that this is an overall transition, not an immediate transformation.
Avoid Busy Work
“Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.” – Thomas A. Edison
“Long hours spent checking off a to-do list and ending the day with a full trash can and a clean desk are not virtuous and have nothing to do with success. Instead of a to-do list, you need a success list — a list that is purposefully created around extraordinary results.” – Gary Keller in his book The One Thing
“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” – Peter Drucker, author of The Effective Executive
The Profit Constructors Can Help
One of the things many of our clients comment on is that we’re great at providing accountability. One way we do that is by helping our clients develop and use living systems that allow them to focus on their priorities. Cool! Right?
Clients and customers
Employees and subcontractors
Vendors and service providers
Governmental entities
Working with The Profit Constructors gives Construction Contractors the means to organize their operations in ways that help them:
Remain informed
Avoid hassles
Reduce risks
Be future-ready
Ready for action? Or want to know more? Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary discovery call. 866-629-7735
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