One of my clients implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS) asked me how to manage an overwhelming to-do list. If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably faced this challenge—you always have more tasks than time, and every completed task seems to lead to even more tasks.
Before sharing what I had told them, let me explain a few EOS terms I used in my response:
- Rocks: Priority projects that require focused effort, going beyond your usual routine.
- To Dos: Action items that should be completed within 7-10 days as part of your daily schedule.
- Future Rocks: Projects that aren’t prioritized for the current quarter but may become a focus in the next.
- Issues: Problems or opportunities that require discussion within your leadership team, followed by a decision and in most cases an action item, often leading to new To Dos or Future Rock.
How to Manage Your Overwhelming To-Do List
Dear Jack,
Often, people don’t recognize Rocks for what they are and mistakenly treat them as regular To Dos. This creates the exact problem they want to avoid—feeling overwhelmed by tasks without clear priorities.
Sometimes, people might genuinely have too many to-dos. When that happens, consider grouping some of them into Future Rocks for the next quarter. Using tools like the Rock-Step Planner™ can help you…
