While we want to make the most of our time by applying the 20 Principle we need a way of eliminating tasks that do not matter.
Would I be happy if this task ends up being the only one I complete today?
Asking this question about your current to-do list will help you differentiate between import tasks and less important tasks.
Reference
Ferriss, Timothy. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. Expanded and Updated ed., 1st revised ed, Crown Publishers, 2009.
Highlights or timestamps
And this means eliminating all tasks and activities that don’t bring you closer to your personal goals. How can you identify these crucial tasks? Well, go through your list of to-dos and, for each task, ask yourself: “Would I be happy if this task ends up being the only one I complete today?” If the answer is no, then it’s a candidate for elimination.
— ^559171 from The 4-Hour Workweek