I think this should be rephrased ever-so-slightly as:

"Those who get THE RIGHT stuff done ASAP"

The two ingredients of success: figure out the right thing to do, and do it.

I think we all know people who get plenty of stuff done, but it's all the wrong stuff. I think they're scared of thinking about what they should actually be doing, so they make themselves feel "busy" with meaningless tasks.

There is another category of people: those who are good at getting stuff done SOME of the time. I've known a few who can power through objectives for a couple of days, at which point they'll bomb out, lose motivation, leave projects 3/4 finished, perhaps miss the opportunity that might've come if they'd just kept going a little longer. Truth be told, I'm probably one of those people myself.

> Truth be told, I’m probably one of those people myself.

I think that's almost everyone, to some extent. Finishing a project has a special sort of neurosis attached to it for some weird reason. Especially if it's self-directed. Takes practice and training to overcome. I don't always overcome it either...

> I think we all know people who get plenty of stuff done, but it’s all the wrong stuff. I think they’re scared of thinking about what they should actually be doing, so they make themselves feel “busy” with meaningless tasks.

Really important comment there. Agree 100%.

I believe success can be measured in many different ways. It isn’t just getting “stuff” done and getting it off your plate, though that is a part of it. Success is doing the “stuff” correctly, thoroughly, and revisiting your successes to ensure results of what you have just accomplished are continually successful.

Just completing tasks from the most important to the least in the most timely fashion will yield an end product, but will that end product be the best end result you can put out? I see a lot of this in my industry… People get things done, but the end result is junk.

I can only speak for my experiences, but taking the extra time to make sure the job is not only completed, but custom done for each of my clients needs and from scratch is extremely important. Working to make sure the solution is custom designed for their needs and they receive the best service from me and my company at all times… My success is also measured in the happiness of my customers, the repeat business, and the referrals.

I revisit my success and “re-measure” how successful the solution has been on a quarterly basis with reviews. How has service been…? How have the multi-function systems been running…? Are you fully utilizing all of the features…? Would you like further training..? etc...

I believe success is measured in people, in character, and in actions… Not just how fast we can check things off a list, though that is a small part of it… I will go back to work with someone or buy something from them even if they aren’t the cheapest, because I know I will get what I pay for.

Yes. I want to tie up loose ends daily. Thats tough. Especially because I enjoy to-do lists. It can also overwhelm me and I don't want to do anything. Fortunately I know this isn't the life I will always have...

Now I just need to make that new life already.