Prioritization is the art of deciding what matters most. It’s the difference between being busy and being effective. As Steve Jobs famously said, "Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do." This mindset is foundational for anyone looking to improve team performance, reduce stress, and focus on high-impact work.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- Why prioritization is essential for team success
- How prioritization reduces burnout and improves well-being
- Two practical prioritization frameworks: the Eisenhower Matrix and the BGF Method
- How to build a prioritization-focused culture
Why Prioritization Matters for Team Success
Success isn’t about doing more—it’s about focusing on what matters most. Effective prioritization channels time and energy into high-impact tasks, leading to better results, meaningful progress, and improved productivity.
According to a McKinsey report, teams that prioritize effectively are more likely to deliver results that align with organizational goals. When individuals know where to focus, they make better decisions, avoid distractions, and contribute more meaningfully to team outcomes.
In short: when we prioritize well, we don’t just do more—we accomplish more.
Prioritization Helps Prevent Burnout and Boost Well-Being
In today’s always-on work environment, the ability to prioritize can be the difference between thriving and burning out. Many teams get stuck reacting to urgent but unimportant tasks. Prioritization helps cut through the noise.
By focusing on long-term goals and tasks aligned with personal and team objectives, individuals feel more in control and less overwhelmed. And there’s data to back this up. Gallup research shows that employees who strongly agree they know what is expected of them are 47% less likely to experience frequent burnout.
Prioritization also:
- Keeps workloads manageable
- Supports a healthier work environment
- Promotes clarity and reduces unnecessary stress
It’s not just a productivity tool—it’s a strategy for sustainable work.
Two Practical Prioritization Frameworks for Daily Work
There’s no universal approach to prioritization, but two time-tested frameworks can help you and your team focus on what matters most.
1. The Eisenhower Matrix: Urgency vs. Importance
Made famous by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, this matrix helps categorize tasks by urgency and importance. His quote captures the essence: “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important.”
How it works:
The Eisenhower Matrix divides tasks into four quadrants:
- Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important — Handle immediately (e.g., deadlines, crises)
- Quadrant 2: Important but Not Urgent — Plan for these (e.g., strategy, learning, relationship-building)
- Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important — Delegate or minimize (e.g., unnecessary meetings)
- Quadrant 4: Neither Urgent nor Important — Eliminate or limit (e.g., distractions, time-wasters)
Benefits:
- Clarifies where to focus your time
- Reduces low-value tasks
- Makes it easier to say “no” to distractions
Pro tip: Revisit your list regularly. As work shifts, your priorities should too.
2. The BGF Method: “Will This Make the Boat Go Faster?”
The BGF (Boat Go Faster) method originated in competitive rowing. The core idea: every action should move the boat—your team—closer to its goal.
How it works:
- Set a clear goal. What does “success” look like for your team right now?
- Ask the question: Before starting any task, ask “Will this make the boat go faster?”
- Stay aligned: Regularly check in to make sure everyone knows how their work ties into the broader objective.
Benefits:
- Simplifies decision-making
- Increases focus on high-value tasks
- Aligns team efforts around a shared mission
Pro tip: Pair this method with team check-ins to reinforce alignment and keep the "boat" on course.
Building a Prioritization-Focused Culture
Effective prioritization is more than a skill—it’s a cultural mindset. Every team is different, so it’s important to experiment with frameworks and build habits that suit your unique needs.
When prioritization becomes part of your team’s DNA, you create an environment where:
- People feel empowered to focus on what matters
- Workloads are more sustainable
- Goals are more likely to be achieved—without burning out in the process
By incorporating tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and the BGF Method, and encouraging ongoing reflection, you build a team that gets results and stays well.
Want to Go Deeper? Check Out These Resources
- Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Wellbeing Falters – Gallup
- Priority Matrix: How to Identify What Matters and Get More Done
- Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?
- The One Thing – Gary Keller & Jay Papasan
- Do What Matters Most – Rob & Steve Shallenberger
- Getting Things Done – David Allen
- Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown
Final Thought
Whether you’re managing a team or your own daily to-dos, learning how to prioritize effectively can be a game-changer. Use these frameworks, build the habit, and remember: doing less of what doesn’t matter creates space for what truly does.
