The first element to this system is the priority tray. This should be a shallow tray in a corner of your work area. It will contain whatever you are currently working on at the moment, plus any emergency items.

Typically, you will work on one item at a time. If someone rushes in with something that must be done right away, you can place your current project in the priority box, switch to the emergency task, and then go back to your project right away.

The priority tray must be empty at the beginning and end of every day. Don’t let it become a black hole!