Do What Matters Most

Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time

by Rob Shallenberger, Steve Shallenberger

4.6(167 ratings)

9 min read

Brief overview

This book lays out a simple system for focusing on actions that truly matter in all areas of life. By exploring how to create a personal vision, set roles and goals, and plan each week, it shows you how to be both more productive and more balanced. You’ll discover how to trade stress and busyness for clarity, purpose, and passion.

Introduction

Imagine wrapping up a long day of work only to realize you never tackled your most important tasks. This moment of frustration is surprisingly common. Life moves at a rapid pace, and it’s easy to let urgent but less meaningful tasks devour our time.

This book argues that genuine success and fulfillment come from focusing on what truly matters. And yet, most people find themselves reacting to problems instead of shaping each day with deliberate planning. Overwhelm leads to stress, fatigue, and a sense of running in circles.

By adopting a framework built around vision, goals, and week-by-week planning, you can dramatically impact how you live. Think of it as stepping back from the daily whirl to design a life that energizes you and leads to real results in every role you play.

When you focus on your top priorities, you’ll see progress much faster than when you chase every request thrown your way.

Why Doing What Matters

We all have the same amount of time each day, but it often doesn’t feel that way. Arbitrary deadlines, unexpected emergencies, and competing demands can knock us off course. The key to reclaiming control is to commit to focusing on tasks that align with what’s most important to you.

Some people love the thrill of last-minute reactions, but constantly living in emergency mode drains energy and can diminish quality. Meanwhile, truly important tasks—like nurturing relationships or preparing carefully for big projects—slip through the cracks.

Doing what matters is about deliberate effort on key priorities and not letting distractions dictate your every moment. This is a mindset shift: rather than letting life push you around, you schedule your highest priorities first.

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What is Do What Matters Most about?

"Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time" by Rob and Steve Shallenberger is a powerful guide designed to help readers overcome the chaos of daily life by focusing intently on what truly matters. Built around three central habits—developing a personal vision, setting clearly defined roles and goals, and engaging in pre-week planning—the book provides readers with a structured path to enhanced productivity and balanced living.

Through storytelling and actionable advice, the authors present a simple yet effective system that enables individuals to replace stress and busyness with clarity and purpose. The book empowers readers to transform abstract ambitions into achievable, meaningful tasks that foster both personal and professional success. With a focus on practical application, "Do What Matters Most" encourages readers to cultivate a life where impactful actions drive them toward their vision.

This book is crucial for anyone seeking to reclaim control and purpose in their lives. By aligning daily tasks with significant priorities, it illuminates the path from chaos to focus, ultimately leading to a life where readers can thrive and achieve their highest potential.

Review of Do What Matters Most

The strengths of "Do What Matters Most" lie in its practicality and clarity. Rob and Steve Shallenberger have meticulously crafted a guide that transcends mere theory, offering readers an actionable framework for transforming their lives. The book's unique approach to vision creation, goal setting, and time management stands out as both comprehensive and accessible. Real-life anecdotes peppered throughout the pages bring these concepts to life, illustrating the power of prioritization and reflection.

One of the book's most significant strengths is its applicability across various life roles. Whether you're a professional aiming to boost workplace efficiency or a parent seeking more family time, the practices outlined in this book are versatile and relevant. The authors' writing style is engaging and straightforward, making complex ideas easy to grasp without overwhelming jargon. Their extensive experience and research set a solid foundation, ensuring the methods proposed hold weight and credibility.

For those in pursuit of a balanced, purpose-driven existence, "Do What Matters Most" is an invaluable resource. Its insights go beyond traditional time-management strategies, offering a genuine pathway to cultivating a life infused with intention and joy. Recommended for anyone looking to elevate their performance, manage time effectively, and lead with clear purpose, this book is a game-changer in the realm of personal development.

Who should read Do What Matters Most?

**Business Leaders and Managers**: By mastering the art of prioritization, they can inspire teams and drive organizational success.
**Busy Professionals**: Those juggling multiple responsibilities will find the time-management strategies instrumental in achieving work-life balance.
**Personal Development Enthusiasts**: Individuals committed to self-improvement and purposeful living will benefit from the book's structured approach to goal setting.
**Working Parents**: The guidance on aligning professional and personal roles can significantly improve quality of life and family dynamics.
**Students and Young Adults**: Early in their career journey, they will gain valuable skills for managing time and setting achievable goals.

About the author

Rob Shallenberger and Steve Shallenberger are co-authors of "Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time". Rob Shallenberger is a globally recognized authority on planning and execution, with experience as a US fighter pilot and CEO of Becoming Your Best Global Leadership. Steve Shallenberger is a leading authority on organizational success and time management, with over 40 years of experience as a successful business owner, senior executive, and corporate trainer. He holds a BA in Accounting and Management from Brigham Young University and has attended Harvard Business School.