Section 1.1: The One More Hour Rule

Start by identifying the three core activities that have yielded results for you over the past year. Consider these guiding questions:

• What are your top three revenue drivers?
• Which activities have proven effective?
• What are the three actions that have had the most impact?

Once you've pinpointed these essential tasks, commit to dedicating an extra hour each day to one or more of them. This hour can be allocated flexibly—whether it's focusing on one task for a full hour or splitting it among the three.

To carve out this additional hour, eliminate distractions by asking yourself:

• How will I find this hour in my day?
• How should I distribute this hour among my core tasks?

Section 1.2: The Significant Growth Rule

Next, assess all your current projects and determine which ones could lead to substantial growth this year. By answering this question, you can start to eliminate less impactful items from your schedule. You might consider postponing them to later months or even next year.

This rule encourages you to evaluate all your engagements—projects, partnerships, and relationships—and identify those that promise significant returns. Activities not contributing to growth should be minimized.

Unlike the core three, which focuses on known activities yielding results, the significant growth rule is meant for new ventures. When new opportunities arise, ask yourself if they align with your growth objectives. If not, it may be wise to decline or defer them.

This video, titled "Team of high performers vs a high-performing team | Productivity Mastery #183 with David Hanrahan," delves into the distinction between individual high performers and cohesive teams, highlighting how team dynamics influence productivity.

Section 1.3: The 45-Day Quit Rule

For any major project that you desire to undertake but won't initiate within the next 45 days, consider removing it from your agenda until the next year. If it's not on your immediate horizon, it's likely you won't execute it anyway.

Relieving yourself of such projects can alleviate anxiety and prevent procrastination. As Burchard notes, when overwhelmed by numerous tasks, anxiety can lead to poor prioritization and hinder productivity.

Create a 'parking lot' journal where you can jot down ideas and projects you're interested in but will not tackle this year. This practice allows you to set these thoughts aside without mental burden.

The video "What is High Performance?" explores the fundamental concepts of high performance, offering insights into how individuals and teams can elevate their output and effectiveness.

Section 1.4: The Deliver Excellence Rule

This rule serves as another crucial tool for prioritization. When presented with a promising opportunity that could foster growth but might interfere with your existing commitments, consider the following questions:

• Will this new initiative detract from my current commitments?
• Could it prevent me from delivering quality results on existing projects?
• Is it feasible to undertake this without compromising my obligations?

Humans often overcommit, which impairs decision-making.

Final Thoughts

Take a moment to evaluate your current commitments, the tasks at hand, and what you can realistically deliver. It's essential to focus on your core three and ensure excellence in those areas. If new opportunities arise, assess their significance and potential impact on your existing commitments.

By adhering to these four rules, you will likely feel a greater sense of accomplishment as the year concludes. For a deeper dive into these principles, listen to the complete podcast episode available on Apple Podcasts.

Thank you for your continued support in reading my articles; it means a lot!