You’re probably familiar with the “important vs. urgent” quadrant method of organizing projects or tasks.

While this life hack is helpful, it doesn’t give much guidance on how to determine if something is truly important.

Harvard researchers weighed in on this topic and offered helpful advice on how to designate something as important.

Ask yourself, does this project or task…

Have a high probability of success?

Have an impact on leading indicators?

Give you a competitive advantage?

Align with your long-term goals and values?

Carry consequences if not completed soon?

If you answer “yes” to all five of these issues, designate the project or task as important, and focus on getting it done.

Notice that recruiting matches all five of these criteria, and it should always be on your task list.