Reasonable priorities help you move ahead.
Having reasonable priorities is important, but why?
Well, for example, one important way to gain credibility for the boundaries you set is to first establish and communicate reasonable priorities.
As people understand that, they realize that if you set a boundary, you are doing so because the associated task is an important one. This makes the boundary seem reasonable.
And it underscores the fact that you’re only setting boundaries when it truly matters that you do so.
How do you set reasonable priorities?
Start by listing all the tasks that you need to accomplish.
Next, separate them into ones that are a one-time event, and those that are ongoing.
Then decide which items in each category are truly time-limited and must be accomplished by a certain date and/or time.
Now you need to place these tasks in order of priority. So, I suggest that you first look at your list of ongoing tasks and determine which are the most important. For example, an ongoing task might be a budget report that you need to turn in by the third Tuesday of each month. It suggests high priority because it deals with money.
If this is a task that can be accomplished by integrating daily financial records, it probably doesn’t take very long to achieve. While it’s important, it would not be your highest monthly priority.
Maybe it’s more complicated…
If, on the other hand, you need to collect and integrate financial information from your team of six people to make your report, this task becomes a higher priority. Whenever you are dependent on other people to provide information or other material for you to complete a task, the level of difficulty increases. You may have to take other steps and you’ll need more time to integrate the information from others and compile your report.
So in this example, all of the steps required to hand in the budget report on the third Tuesday of every month make it a high priority.
Always look for dependencies when setting reasonable priorities. The more the work involved is dependent upon others, the more it becomes a priority. Factoring in dependencies helps you create a system where the highest priorities get done first.
Consequences count, too.
Another possibility involves a short-term or a one-time event. Then the task on your list that has the greatest consequences for yourself or others becomes the highest priority. For example, your child needs a costume by October 10th. This is a priority because if you don’t do it, your child will be the only one in the play without a costume.
When you’re finished with setting a priority for each task using the above system, integrate one-time events and create a calendar.
So, how will you start setting reasonable priorities for yourself? What will be your first step today?
Here’s more help with reasonable priorities…
Do you ever feel like life is coming at you too fast and you’re getting lost in the shuffle? Are you feeling at sea and rudderless? Unclear about what your priorities even are? Well, a time tool that I want to tell you about today is my E-Guide titled “Why Can’t I Find My Direction?” 17 Journaling Prompts to Create Your Ideal Life. This E-Guide gets right down to business as it walks you through 17 journaling prompts aimed at helping you come to a deeper understanding of
- Who you are,
- What you value,
- What makes you tick and
- How you relate to your time choices.
Understanding any ONE of these things more fully is a great gift to give yourself. So I invite you to follow your heart as you clarify your priorities and find your path with “Why Can’t I Find My Direction?” 17 Journaling Prompts to Create Your Ideal Life. Click the link below to discover more about what’s possible for you.
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