Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

January 7, 2026

Welcome to the Workplace Multiplier newsletter. Published Monday to Friday, equipping you to achieve your professional goals faster and without burnout or overwhelm.

The 3-question filter that protects your ONE result

Howdy ,

You've defined your ONE result. Now you have to defend it.

Here's what's coming this week: requests that sound reasonable. Opportunities that seem important. Obligations that feel urgent.

Most will kill your priority; not because they're bad, but because they consume your capacity for transformational work.

The protection mechanism I use:

When any request appears, ask three questions:

1. Does this directly advance my ONE result?

Not "could help eventually." Does it move THIS specific needle?

If no, move to question 2.

2. Does this prevent catastrophic failure?

Real catastrophe: major financial loss, genuine employment risk, legal/ethical violations.

Not catastrophe: uncomfortable conversations, someone's disappointment, a missed meeting.

If no, move to question 3.

3. Can someone else do this at 80% of my quality?

Your ego will say no. Your ego is protecting itself, not your priority.

"But Tola, I don't control my calendar."

True. For example, I have a practice to not have any meeting between 8am – 10:30am. I use that time to do deep work.

Guess what?

My CEO schedules a standing meeting Mondays at 8:30am. I can't refuse that.

So I protect the other four mornings. Tuesday through Friday. That's my deep work time.

You won't control everything. But you control more than you're currently protecting.

The question isn't "Can I control my entire calendar?" It's "What 20% DO I control that I'm currently giving away?"

Your move today:

Identify one time block you control. Protect it for your ONE result.

Not eventually. This week.

Keep winning at work and in life,

Tola Akinsulire

Your Strategic Workplace Mentor