If you're like us, you often feel like there are just too many important things to do. Even after we eliminate to time-wasters and automate the ankle-biters, we're still left with a list that's longer than we can handle. So what do we do when it's all important stuff, but we still can't seem to get to it everything that we need to? Spoiler alert: It's not multi-tasking!

Instead take a page out of the Special Forces playbook and take some time to clarify your "lines of effort" - the main categories of your priorities. Once you can see them clearly, you can look for ways to optimize your time and energy. You can organize your activities in ways that let you do one thing, while achieving multiple goals.

For example: A run on the treadmill will check your fitness box. But a run on a trail with a friend can check the fitness, nature, and friends box. You're still just doing one thing, but you're getting much more out of that time and effort. It's a simple principle that applies to all aspects of your work and life. Once you see, you won't be able to unsee it.