How to Set Priorities – Strategic Decision-Making Framework

Tacettin İKİZ · April 03, 2025, 01:36:07 PM

How to Set Priorities – Strategic Decision-Making Framework

Prioritization isn't just about time — it's about direction, alignment, and intentional trade-offs. Here are four proven models to structure your priorities effectively.

1. The Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)

"Focus on the 20% of tasks that yield 80% of results."

Key Concepts:

80% of your progress often comes from 20% of your effort
Not all tasks are equal — identify and elevate high-leverage activities
Maximize impact with minimal friction to unlock faster growth

Formula:

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Top Priorities = Tasks where Result / Effort ≥ 4

Example:

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- Reviewing daily cable QC logs (high leverage)  
- Attending 4 weekly status meetings (low leverage)

2. Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent vs. Important Quadrant)

"What is urgent is not always important." — Dwight D. Eisenhower

Quadrant Breakdown:

Urgent & Important	Do immediately – crises, deadlines
Important, Not Urgent	Schedule – strategic planning, training
Urgent, Not Important	Delegate – interruptions, admin tasks
Not Urgent, Not Important	Eliminate – time wasters, trivial activity

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Tip: Live in the "Important, Not Urgent" zone for sustainable growth.

3. The Focus Circles – Long vs. Short-Term Priority Alignment

Structure:

Outer Ring – Daily Tasks: Routines, chores, reactive work
Middle Ring – Goals: Tangible achievements you are aiming for
Core Ring – Values: Deep principles (e.g., family, growth, service)

Guideline:

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Prioritize tasks that connect Goals ↔ Values ↔ Actions

Example:

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Daily Task: Respond to 40 emails  
Goal: Grow client base  
Value: Freedom through efficiency  
Filtered Action: Batch email twice per day, prioritize top 10 clients

4. The Decision Funnel – From Chaos to Clarity

Use this to organize and filter tasks logically.

[list=decimal]

All Tasks & Responsibilities: Capture everything
Filter by Goals: Remove tasks not aligned with goals
Assess Urgency & Importance: Apply Eisenhower logic
Evaluate Resources: What's the ROI on time, tools, money?
Top Priorities: The final few that matter most

Formula:

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Priority Score = (Goal Alignment × Importance) / (Time × Cost)

Summary Tips:

Don't confuse motion with progress — prioritize intentionally
Schedule time for long-term planning (Q2 activities in Eisenhower Matrix)
Let your values filter your tasks — not vice versa

"Being busy is not the same as being productive. Focus on what moves the needle."

News:

How to Set Priorities – Strategic Decision-Making Framework

Tacettin İKİZ