University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
The 5 Choices
Book

The 5 Choices

The Path to Extraordinary Productivity

Kory Kogon, Adam Merrill and Leena Rinne
Wall Street Journal Books, 2014
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

In today’s technology-driven, hyper-connected world, more demands than ever compete for your attention. While many time-management books focus on the underlying causes of this problem, a trio of authors from the FranklinCovey consulting group – Kory Kogon, Adam Merrill and Leena Rinne – presents a solution, the detailed “Time Matrix model,” which you can use as a framework for organizing your time. The authors identify five areas in which your choices can help you set meaningful goals and priorities that will hold your focus. Their reliance on copyrighted buzzwords and terms feels somewhat contrived, but their time-management model is well researched and extremely useful. getAbstract recommends this pragmatic approach to anyone facing to-do list anxiety.

Summary

Feeling Overwhelmed?

The pressure of trying to get everything done can be stressful and debilitating. The relentless flow of incoming tasks, meetings, duties and responsibilities – coupled with your never-ending to-do list – may threaten your welfare. Technology now enables you to accomplish more in less time. But paradoxically, a technology-enabled, hyper-connected world constantly strains your attention and resources, leaving you with less time, energy and focus to devote to the things you regard as important.

Most professional jobs demand mental dexterity and constant decision making. Conscientious people handle this in a linear way by tackling each problem as it arises. Unfortunately, this strategy doesn’t work when you face too many decisions to address by simply working longer and harder. As you try to manage the influx of choices, your attention comes under constant attack. Incoming emails and texts, compounded by endless attractive online distractions, make it difficult to maintain focus. The continual onslaught drains your energy, mentally and physically. At the end of the day, you feel burned out, unproductive and unsatisfied.

Most people spend about...

About the Authors

Kory Kogon, Adam Merrill and Leena Rinne have senior roles at FranklinCovey, a global consulting firm specializing in time-management and leadership training.

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