If we extend the Pareto principle and spend 40 percent of our time doing valuable things instead of 20 percent, we will more than double our current result. I'm talking about working smarter here, not harder. Draw a distinction between effort and result at this stage. If your efforts are not well conceived, you could be wasting a lot of time. This is where your diary comes in.
Most managers use their diary as an appointment book or a 'daily to do' list.
I'll explain them one at a time. This occurs because one of the things you have to do to get behavioural change is missing. Give the instruction then get the staff member to repeat it back to you. Once you have communicated an important instruction, take out your diary in front of the person concerned and make brief follow-up notes once a fortnight for the next two months, then monthly for the following four months. Tell them you will be following it up, and you expect them to supervise themselves and ensure that it is done.