A couple of months ago, I realized I needed to simplify—fast.
So I dusted off a strategy I learned several years ago: GO, NO, and SLOW.
It’s not new—Stephen Covey’s First Things First talks about similar principles.
Here’s how it goes:
- GO – These are the things I’m fully investing my energy into. They get my best attention, right now. (Important projects, family, rest & recovery)
- NO – These are distractions in disguise. They’re not bad ideas, but they’re pulling me away from what matters. Saying “NO” doesn’t mean I can’t revisit them later (like this newsletter).
- SLOW – These aren’t priorities right now, but they still need a little attention, and they can’t fall off the radar.
The beauty?
Projects and tasks can flow between buckets as life shifts.
While preparing for July Circle of Success, working with NLPU’s Robert Dilts as a facilitator for his NLP Master Trainer training, and organizing my own upcoming NLP training, I had to re-prioritize a few things.
Once I found my rhythm, I moved this newsletter (and other projects and ideas) into SLOW and committed to a 2–3 times a month schedule.
But here’s the truth I had to face:
I can’t work on everything I want to work on.
Can you?
So here’s my advice:
Stop trying to juggle it all.
Instead, choose what gets your “GO,” what needs a “NO,” and what can run “SLOW.”
You’ll feel lighter, clear, and more focused.