If everything’s urgent…nothing really is.
Hi y’all,
I’ve got a tough question for you: Is your task list realistic?
If you’re like most event pros, the answer is probably “not really.” And that’s not your fault — it’s the nature of our work. You’re trained to operate on strict deadlines, and when things go exactly to plan, that structure works beautifully.
But we both know how often that happens…
The challenge is that most to-do lists are jam-packed with deadline-driven tasks — even when the deadline isn’t real. That means you’ve left zero margin for error, change, or surprise. It’s a plan that only works if everything goes according to plan.
And when it doesn’t? You scramble.
But that’s why you’re an event pro. You know how to pivot under pressure and make magic out of madness. But what if you had more breathing room — without dropping the ball?
At Goodshuffle, I’ve adopted a planning methodology that’s changed how I operate:
👉 I anchor only my most critical tasks to a specific date.
👉 Everything else gets sorted by priority — and tackled when there’s space.
This has helped me shift from obsessing over timelines to obsessing over impact.
I prioritize using four simple buckets:l
- People: Supporting, developing, and caring for the team
- Process: Building scalable, repeatable systems
- Operations: Keeping the day-to-day running smoothly
- Prospects: Activities that drive new business
The order matters. Because we believe our people are what make Goodshuffle special, we have to start there. A smooth process or sharp sales strategy means nothing without folks who are empowered — and excited! — to carry them out.
Honestly, this is something I’m still working on. As we scale our sales team at Goodshuffle, I’ve had to get real with myself. I’ve started way too many sentences lately with, “I have to be involved in…” followed by something I absolutely don’t. It leads to an overloaded task list that’s not just exhausting; it’s dangerous. If too much flows through me, we can’t grow.
So, I’ve been pushing myself to:
- Delegate more
- Remove myself from decisions that aren’t mission-critical
- Reframe delegation as a growth opportunity for someone else
Because here’s the bottom line: Our growth depends on the growth of our people.
And if I want them to step up, I have to create the space and prioritize them accordingly.
The same is true for your business, so here’s my challenge to you this week:
👉 Of the tasks on your to-do list, which ones aren’t really date-sensitive?
👉 Bucket those tasks according to your own priorities and rate the impact. Then start tackling your do to list with a hopefully newfound sense of “I can get it all done”
Give yourself permission to create that space. Your team — and your sanity — will thank you.
See you next Tuesday,
Mallory Mullen
Goodshuffle
