There is too much to do and not enough time in the day to get it all done.

This is the plight of every real estate executive and manager.

We know that prioritization is necessary, but how do you effectively set priorities?

Peter Drucker suggests you start by asking this simple question:

What can I contribute that will significantly affect the performance of my organization?

This question gets at three important issues:

Organizational Goals. The organization’s measurable results should be your first consideration. Unless everyone is focused on a common set of outcomes, the team’s effort will be fragmented.

Performance Measurement. Performance is rightly measured by what happens outside your team or office. This is the only place where true results exist.

Contribution. Processing priorities in terms of contribution forces you to think beyond the short-term interests of the loudest person (or need) demanding your attention.

The best leaders hold themselves accountable to the performance of the whole.

And they gain clarity by contributing their best efforts and talents to something bigger than themselves.

It’s Monday.  Where do you plan to make your best contribution this week?