What are high-impact tasks?

High-impact tasks, often referred to as "high leverage tasks," are those that have a significant impact on outcomes and overall success. According to Shreyas Doshi, product managers commonly recognize these tasks as crucial, but they often procrastinate them due to various fears and the requirement for dedicated focus.

Examples & Characteristics:

1. Strategy Development: Crafting and refining strategies, which often get delayed due to the immediate pressures of daily tasks.
2. Writing Detailed PRDs (Product Requirements Documents): Especially challenging features that need thorough planning and documentation.
3. Team Alignment: Ensuring different teams collaborate effectively, which can be difficult and require tough conversations.

Reasons for Procrastination:

• Fear of Impact: Knowing the high stakes involved can be intimidating.
• Need for Focused Attention: These tasks are demanding and require undivided attention.
• Self-Doubt: Uncertainty about one's ability to formulate a good strategy or manage complex tasks, leading to convenient excuses like lack of time.

These tasks might be daunting, but their successful execution often leads to substantial advancements and improvements in projects and organizational effectiveness 1.