When we prioritize our time, it is normal to prioritize items that have symmetrical upside and downside risk. These are items that present a good amount of upside when done well and vice versa when done poorly.
The challenge, however, is slotting in items that present asymmetrical upside and downside risk – especially those that have little upside but prevent significant downside.
These items are challenging because they often fall to the bottom of the priority list because they aren’t as interesting as other items with more upside. We then don’t do them well and are left with a lot to clean up.
Pay attention to both the upside and downside risk of any item on your priority list.
Especially the downside risk.
