The 4D system is a simple and powerful time management technique that helps us to easily decide what we are going to work on. As a result, anyone using this technique can become better at time-management. To make the right decisions about your tasks, your to-do list must be filtered through the 4D system.
A detailed description of the 4D system of time management can be found in the book written by Wan How. The title of the book is 4Ds Time Management: Delete, Delegate, Defer, Do and includes 9 advanced techniques that will allow you to regain control over your time and life, and make it possible for you to achieve your dream goals.
The 4D system it’s very simple to apply. First of all, filter all the activities to be performed through the 4D system. After deciding on each task, you start working. This is how it works. The 4D is derived from Delete, Delegate, Defer, Do. Each of these terms exactly describes the action to be applied to the filtered tasks.
To be able to apply the 4D system we must know from the beginning what is the action defined by each of the 4D:
Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do
From the to-do list, those activities that cause time-wasting should be eliminated. This category may include activities such as constant checking of social media, news or emails. About the latter, Wan How, the author of the book describing this method says that
I can usually delete half or more of my emails without opening them. I am especially brutal when I
return from vacation and have to go through a backlog of emails
To the same category belong the routine activities such as brushing your teeth, tasks that can be automated or interruptions that occur during peak hours of personal productivity.
If you really want to grow as an entrepreneur, you’ve got to learn to delegate
Buckle down and get the task done
Applied regularly, the 4D system eliminates the unnecessary waste of time, allows you to accomplish more in shorter periods, lowers your stress, and helps you focus. All of this will lead to increased productivity and will improve all aspect of your life