“What’s your best productivity hack?” That’s the question posed to a group of busy executives whose answers were reported in an article I just scanned. (That’s one of my hacks: scan more, read less).

Anyway, a surprising number mentioned a specific type of multi-tasking they do. Several of the respondents use their driving time to make calls.

It lets them use what would otherwise be downtime to get some (billable) work done.

That surprised me because everyone “knows” multi-tasking doesn’t work. You can’t effectively do two things at once.

Yes, but there are exceptions and for some people, talking and driving is one of them.

But not for me.

When I’m driving, I find it difficult to give someone on the phone my full attention. I’m sure I sound distracted because, frankly, I am.

Probably why some states want to outlaw it.

There are other ways to use drive time (or commute time). You can do some dictation, listen to podcasts, rehearse a presentation, or record notes about your current case or project.

I’ve done all of the above, in the car and on my walks. Much easier when it’s just you.

Generally, though, I get my best work done when I concentrate on one thing at a time.

But, there is an exception here, too.

I often do some of my best thinking in the car. I reason my way through problems, brainstorm ideas, and flesh out “the next step” in whatever I’m working on.

But I won’t call anyone to discuss it until I get home.

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You know you will always have “too much” to do, don’t you? You’ll never get it all done, no matter how hard you try.

So stopping trying so hard. And don’t worry about what you don’t get done, as long as you’re getting the most important things done.

Instead of getting a bigger plate (so you can work harder), if you’re busier than all hell, figure out what to take off your plate.

Make room to do more of the important things you’re doing now or to do things you want to do but “haven’t had the time.”

Yes?

How do you decide what to take off your plate?

The logical way, the way most people do it, is to use a cost/benefit analysis.

Examine everything, note the amount of time and money and other resources you’ll need to devote to it, and compare that to the potential return.

It’s math. Do this thing, pay this price, earn this amount.

Go over the numbers with your staff or your accountant or your business coach, if that will help, and make a decision.

Ah, but sometimes the numbers don’t add up.

You don’t how much time or effort something is really going to take. Or you can’t project ROI because there are too many variables.

What do you do then?

Forget the numbers and trust your gut.

Your gut may give you the same answer your accountant gave you but it might surprise you.

If you’re really listening to your gut (and not the voice of what you think you’re “supposed to” do), your gut will lead you to what’s best for you.

Things that give you a bigger return than you could imagine or open up new opportunities you didn’t know were there.

Your gut will never fail you. But you might not know that so that’s why you have to TRUST your gut.

So, that’s it. Make decisions based on logic or intuition.

You can use either one, or both.

But a note of caution. If you use logic and it tells you to get a bigger plate, don’t listen.

Because you don’t need a bigger plate.

Make room to do bigger things