It may sound odd, as being a product manager, multi-tasking is almost a given. A lot of times, we expect product managers to multi-task. They have to do it. They have to keep track of the Sprint schedule, the marketing timeline, the customers and the ever-changing market dynamic, and of course, the non-stop incoming requests and product feedback.

But product managers do need to focus and it is sometimes the key differentiator of a good PM from a mediocre PM.

Product managers have to focus on the things or the one thing that truly matters and everything else is secondary at that given period of time. It could be your focus of the week or the month. Things like I have to finish this research, or I have to kick off this new project, or I have to finish writing up the user stories for the backlog. Yes, these tasks sound ordinary. Why would you prioritize these things over others? My answer is, it all depends. It depends on what matters the MOST for that product manager at that given period and the PM has to finish them in order to make everything else work.

Furthermore, one could say that multi-tasking is always a transition period between two focus periods. In order to really deliver great results, the PM has to really focus and deliver on the highest standard. If delivering on the highest standard is not required, then it’s not important. Then you can de-prioritize it. If it’s important, you always have to give it your best in order to deliver results. After that, yes, you can multi-task on the things that don’t require your full attention.

So said differently, focus is prioritization. Similar to your resources, your attention is always limited, so you always have to prioritize on the things that truly mater, and then focus on it until it’s done.

Just a small thought on a random Monday, after dealing with typical Amazon workloads.