A famous Stephen Covey quote says, "The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." That's an undeniably great sound bite, but the trick is to put it into action in your life.
We spend a lot of our time reacting. We may address what's in front of us rather than evaluate what's most pressing or significant. It's easy to coast from task to task as they appear, and during times of stress, it's challenging to take the time to plan what needs doing rather than simply putting out fires as they erupt. But if you're not in crisis mode, you can find small ways to put your most important aims first.
Putting the focus back on your personal priorities is especially important after a major shift in routine or a period of high stress. Although you will need a period of rest and adjustment, be sure to find a small way to start pursuing your goals again.
It's easy to let our days fill up with unimportant tasks and scattershot demands, so giving your most important aim a set place in your schedule allows you to make gradual progress over time.
Challenge:
This week, I encourage you to put your top priority into practice by scheduling it. You may need to rearrange your morning routine to take a walk or spend 30 minutes writing, or you may want to ask a partner or roommate to take over dishwashing after dinner to allow you the time to tackle a personal project. Schedule this task in your calendar or set a daily reminder on your phone. Remember to keep it small! Start with a single, simple task and a small time commitment. If your priority is business-related, it could mean delegating work tasks of lesser importance to give you time to focus on something more challenging. I issue an alternate challenge for those unsure what they should prioritize: Use this week as an opportunity to discover your top priorities. Remember that they will be personal to you, not what you "think" you should value or pursue.