What If Everything is a Top Priority?
We hear it all the time, "You must prioritize." Or maybe it is, "Set your priorities for the day." How about, "Do your top priorities first." Well, what do you do when everything is a top priority?
Stop, take a deep breath, calm down and remember, not everything has the same importance. That's reality. I hear some people saying right now, "No, reality is EVERYTHING is a top priority!"
Not really. Everything is not a top priority. We must all learn to distinguish which things are more important and how to prioritize the things we must attend to. We can, and we must decide which things are more important. Distinguishing which things have priority for the day will reduce stress and enable you to focus on what is really important.
You CAN'T do it all! No one can. That is why setting priorities is so important and why everyone tells you that you must set them. Therefore, once you have made your list of "to dos" in whatever system you have chosen for yourself, you need to ask yourself a few questions. First ask, "What really must be done today?" Then ask, "What can wait till another time?" Also ask yourself, "What items on this list advance me toward my goals the most?" Asking these questions will help you sort through the myriad of things you have scheduled and placed on your "to do" list. These questions will help you realize what really is a top priority and what really isn't.
Evaluate the consequences of not doing an item. Evaluate the consequences of doing the item at a later time. If you are having difficulties establishing priorities, you may want to ask someone else. At work, a fellow employee may be able to assist you with what is important. If your boss gave you multiple tasks, ask your boss to help prioritize them. At home, your spouse or a friend may be helpful in assisting you with determining what is really important and what should be a priority.
Not long ago a fellow writer and I were discussing various projects we each had going and we helped each other prioritize some of our numerous projects. Nothing says you have to go it alone. Get some help when needed.
There is one thing that everyone should include on their list. Make yourself your top priority! On airplanes, they tell you in case of an emergency, to put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others. You must take care of yourself first in order to help anyone else. You must make time for yourself. This includes a variety of things to keep you healthy and sane. Exercise, proper nutrition, relaxation and stress reducing activities need to be included in your schedule. If you don't make yourself a priority, sooner or later you will burn out and everything will be affected negatively. So while everything is not a top priority, YOU are. Treat yourself as such, and distinguish which of your other activities need your immediate attention and you will be in better control of your time and your life.
Stop, take a deep breath, calm down and remember, not everything has the same importance. That's reality. I hear some people saying right now, "No, reality is EVERYTHING is a top priority!"
Not really. Everything is not a top priority. We must all learn to distinguish which things are more important and how to prioritize the things we must attend to. We can, and we must decide which things are more important. Distinguishing which things have priority for the day will reduce stress and enable you to focus on what is really important.
You CAN'T do it all! No one can. That is why setting priorities is so important and why everyone tells you that you must set them. Therefore, once you have made your list of "to dos" in whatever system you have chosen for yourself, you need to ask yourself a few questions. First ask, "What really must be done today?" Then ask, "What can wait till another time?" Also ask yourself, "What items on this list advance me toward my goals the most?" Asking these questions will help you sort through the myriad of things you have scheduled and placed on your "to do" list. These questions will help you realize what really is a top priority and what really isn't.
Evaluate the consequences of not doing an item. Evaluate the consequences of doing the item at a later time. If you are having difficulties establishing priorities, you may want to ask someone else. At work, a fellow employee may be able to assist you with what is important. If your boss gave you multiple tasks, ask your boss to help prioritize them. At home, your spouse or a friend may be helpful in assisting you with determining what is really important and what should be a priority.
Not long ago a fellow writer and I were discussing various projects we each had going and we helped each other prioritize some of our numerous projects. Nothing says you have to go it alone. Get some help when needed.
There is one thing that everyone should include on their list. Make yourself your top priority! On airplanes, they tell you in case of an emergency, to put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others. You must take care of yourself first in order to help anyone else. You must make time for yourself. This includes a variety of things to keep you healthy and sane. Exercise, proper nutrition, relaxation and stress reducing activities need to be included in your schedule. If you don't make yourself a priority, sooner or later you will burn out and everything will be affected negatively. So while everything is not a top priority, YOU are. Treat yourself as such, and distinguish which of your other activities need your immediate attention and you will be in better control of your time and your life.
posted by Alain @ 10:54 AM
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