Ep 231: How to Decide What to Do First?

Jul 21

How to Decide What to Do First

If you run a membership, coaching program, or online business, there is never a shortage of projects competing for your attention.

The challenge is knowing which activities actually move the needle.

One of my favorite tools for evaluating existing projects is the Action Priority Matrix. It helps you identify what to keep, what to improve, and what to stop doing altogether.

What Is the Action Priority Matrix?

The matrix evaluates every project based on two factors:

Impact
Effort

Impact measures the value a project creates.

Effort measures the time, resources, and energy required to deliver it.

When you map projects against these two variables, four categories emerge.

1. High Impact, Low Effort: Your Quick Wins

These are the projects you want more of.

They create meaningful results without requiring significant resources.

If something is easy to deliver and members love it, keep doing it. These activities often provide the highest return on investment.

2. High Impact, High Effort: Your Strategic Priorities

These projects are valuable, but they can become difficult to scale.

Instead of removing them, look for ways to make them more efficient.

Ask:

Can this be automated?
Can technology support the process?
Can we serve multiple members at once?

The goal is to preserve the impact while reducing the effort.

3. Low Impact, Low Effort: Your Hidden Distractions

Many businesses keep these activities because they are easy.

The problem is they often create clutter.

Every deliverable competes for member attention. Too many options can create confusion and reduce engagement.

Evaluate these projects carefully. Some may be worth improving. Others may be worth removing.

4. Low Impact, High Effort: What Should You Stop Doing

This is where most businesses uncover wasted effort.

If a project requires significant resources but creates little value, it is time to ask some hard questions.

In many cases, these activities should be eliminated or redesigned.

Use Data, Not Assumptions

The biggest mistake I see is evaluating projects based on opinions.

Instead, look at:

Member surveys
Engagement data
Retention metrics
Customer feedback
Program usage

The data will tell you which activities deserve your time and attention.

Final Thoughts

Most businesses do not have a growth problem.

They have a prioritization problem.

When you consistently evaluate projects based on effort and impact, you create a simpler business, a better member experience, and stronger retention.

Before adding something new, take a look at what already exists. You may discover that your biggest opportunity is not doing more. It is doing less, better.

If you need help prioritizing retention projects, apply to work with Shana at shanalynn.com.

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Shana Lynn