As an entrepreneur and marketer working on multiple projects at the same time, I used various frameworks to manage my work.
Over the years, I’ve tried many different approaches to manage my tasks and increase my productivity, but I always felt like something was missing. That’s when I came up with the EDE framework – a simple but powerful approach to task management that has helped me stay focused, organized, and productive.
The EDE Framework
The EDE framework stands for Eliminate, Delegate, and Execute.
It consists of three simple steps that you can apply to any task or project, no matter how big or small.
Step 1: Eliminate
The first step of the EDE framework is to eliminate tasks that are not required to be done. As entrepreneurs, we often have a never-ending to-do list, and it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. That’s why it’s essential to eliminate tasks that are not necessary or don’t align with your goals.
To apply this step, take a close look at your to-do list and identify tasks that can be eliminated. These could be tasks that are not urgent or important, tasks that are no longer relevant, or tasks that don’t align with your goals or values.
By eliminating these tasks, you’ll free up valuable time and mental energy to focus on what really matters.
As an alternative, you can also push the tasks to a future date if you think they may be more relevant sometime in the future.
Step 2: Delegate
The second step of the EDE framework is to delegate tasks that others can do.
As entrepreneurs, we often feel like we need to do everything ourselves, but that’s not always the case. Delegating tasks to others can help us save time, leverage other people’s skills and expertise, and focus on the tasks that only we can do.
To apply this step, identify tasks that can be delegated to others.
These could be tasks that someone else is better equipped to do, tasks that are outside of your area of expertise, or tasks that can be done more efficiently by someone else.
Once you’ve identified these tasks, delegate them to the appropriate person or team.
I usually hire additional consultants or freelancers from Upwork if none of my team members are available or suited for these tasks.
Step 3: Execute
The final step of the EDE framework is to execute what is left. This step is all about taking action and getting things done.
By eliminating tasks that are not necessary and delegating tasks that others can do, you’ll be left with a focused and manageable to-do list that you can execute with confidence.
To apply this step, prioritize the remaining tasks on your to-do list and start working on them one by one. Use your time and energy wisely, and don’t get distracted by tasks that are not essential or don’t align with your goals.
By executing the right tasks, you’ll make progress toward your goals and achieve the results you’re looking for.
Working “In the Business” vs “On the Business”
I keep a target of working “On the Business” 70-80% of the time.
Here’s what I mean:
As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of running your business. You might find yourself constantly putting out fires and focusing on the small details, which can take up a lot of your time and energy.
Tasks that are “in the business” are those that are necessary to keep the business running day-to-day.
These might include things like responding to customer inquiries, managing inventory, and handling administrative tasks. While these tasks are important, they don’t necessarily move your business forward as a whole.
On the other hand, tasks that are “on the business” are those that are focused on growth and moving your business forward.
These might include things like developing a marketing strategy, researching new products or services to offer, and building relationships with potential partners or investors.
The key difference between these two types of tasks is that those that are “in the business” are necessary for the day-to-day operations, while those that are “on the business” are focused on growth and moving your business forward.
When it comes to the execution stage of the EDE framework, it’s important to identify which tasks fall into each category.
This will help you prioritize your time and energy, and ensure that you’re focusing on the tasks that will have the biggest impact on your business.
You should move your On the business tasks to the EXECUTION stage and the In the business tasks to the DELEGATION stage as much as possible.
Benefits of the EDE Framework
The EDE framework has many benefits for entrepreneurs and anyone looking to increase their productivity and focus. Here are just a few:
- Saves time and mental energy: By eliminating tasks that are not necessary and delegating tasks that others can do, you’ll free up valuable time and mental energy to focus on what really matters.
- Increases focus and productivity: By executing the right tasks and avoiding distractions, you’ll increase your focus and productivity, and make progress toward your goals.
- Helps you stay organized: The EDE framework provides a simple and structured approach to task management that helps you stay organized and on track.
- Improves decision-making: By regularly assessing your to-do list and identifying tasks that can be eliminated or delegated, you’ll improve your decision-making skills and focus on what’s most important.
The EDE framework has been a game-changer for me as an entrepreneur, and I’m confident that it can help others too. By following the simple steps of Eliminate, Delegate, and Execute, you can increase your productivity and be able to achieve better results for your business.