Before you can optimize a workflow or introduce AI into your daily routine, you must have a crystal-clear understanding of what you actually produce. Many professionals confuse the activities they perform with the deliverables they hand off. This lesson forces you to look closely at your tangible outputsâthe design assets, press releases, reports, and presentations that define your roleâand separate them from the broader outcomes they are meant to achieve.
We will also explore the "Anti To-Do List" technique. Often, the deliverables we avoid or procrastinate on are the ones with the most hidden friction. By identifying these high-friction artifacts, you uncover the prime candidates for process mapping and eventual automation.
Assignment
- List 3-5 core deliverables you produce on a regular basis (e.g., weekly reports, social media campaigns).
- Create an "Anti To-Do List" of 2-3 deliverables you frequently procrastinate on.
- Select one deliverable from either list and write down the difference between its output and its intended outcome.
Learning Objectives
- Differentiate between outputs (what you hand off) and outcomes (the result it creates).
- Identify your core deliverables using standard mapping and the Anti To-Do List technique.
- Deconstruct a single deliverable into the discrete steps required to produce it.
Outputs vs. Outcomes
An output is the tangible artifact you produce (a press release, a slide deck, a social media post). An outcome is the change that artifact creates in the world (increased brand awareness, secured funding). AI helps with outputs, not outcomes.
The Anti To-Do List
A technique of listing the tasks you actively avoid or procrastinate on. These often represent complex, high-friction deliverables that are prime candidates for process mapping and eventual AI assistance.