What is the Sharp Axe Method?
Doing the right work upfront -> preparing correctly -> so you can save time in the long run.
Having the correct mindset -> reduce the chance of getting OVERWHELMED.
Step 1: Clean your environment
Take control of your life first, make sure everything is in order.
Physical environment: Clean your desk, do some box breathing
Digital environment: Clear up your desktop, exit every programs, tabs on your computer, delete social media apps on your phone.
Step 2: Brain dump
Put your thoughts into the page, make a list of everthing you need to do, no order required. Something like:
- Take out the trash
- Fix the logo
- Change the color
- Remove unused components
Step 3: Categorize the todo list
Use Eisenhower matrix:
- Do the task (very important, very urgent)
- Delete (not important, not urgent)
- Schedule (very important, not urgent)
- Delegate (very urgent, not important)
Think about: what one thing, if done, would make everything else on this list easier.
Or lookalike group: if a bunch of things that have the same vibe or can all be done on computer, group them.
Step 4: Schedule
Start sticking your tasks on a calendar.
Rule 1: Don’t schedule anything that will take less than two minutes; simply do it.
Rule 2: Plan visually.
Rule 3: List the non-movable calendar dates first. (Deadlines, Holidays, Birthdays)
Rule 4: Double the time you estimate. If you estimate a work would take four hours, you should allocate eight.
Rule 5: List your tasks on your calendar in order of importance.
Rule 6: Be extremely specific when describing what needs to be done.
Rule 7: If something seems impossible, consider how it might appear if it were simple. Plan accordingly then.
Rule 8: Plan for average me, not me at my best.
Rule 9: Concentrate on finishing one activity at a time.
Rule 10: Good plan = Flexible plan. Be prepared to change everything.
Step 5: Communicate
Before you start any work, you should try communicate to stakeholders. If you’re late on something, give your stakeholder a specific date.
Step 6: JUST DO IT
The only way to chop a tree… is to start chopping.