Concrete Goals Tracker

This time management technique is actually a form designed by David Seah of, and is designed to help you decide how high a priority any given task is. It divides tasks into categories based on how much they will help you towards your goals: things that are a direct and significant contribution give you 10 "points", while those that simply support your goals or your ability to reach them are worth 1, with a range in between.

The original CGT was designed for David Seah's line of work -- freelance visual design -- and so is designed to track those things that a visual designer (and to a certain extent, any small business owner) will care about : billable work, creation of marketing materials, and interaction with potential customers or business partners. But he also has an editable version that you can use for your supporting tasks to achieve your goals, however large or small they are.

Once you have the CGT set up, all you have to do is try to maximize your points. If it's a smaller goal, you may need to make a new CGT each week, while large goals may use the same points system for a year or more, but if you maximize your points each day (and have set the incentives up properly), you can be reasonably confident that you're doing more or less what you need to be doing each day.

If competition is a good motivator for you, CGT also allows you and a buddy to compare productivity each day or week for whatever prize you decide upon.

Doesn't sound like you? Go back to Time Management Hacks and look for a time management technique that fits you better.

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