3 keys to prioritization

How to Set Priorities

We hear it all the time, "focus on your priorities." The truth is, there's a lot that feels important to us. We have conflicting values and a variety of things that pull at our attention. We have constant reminders, incessant distractions, and limited willpower. Without firm priorities, it's easy to get lost in meaningless work and the things that don't give us energy. 

Setting our priorities has become a priority in itself. So let's jump in and look at the 3 keys to prioritization.

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​Know Your Values 
Values are those pieces of us that represent what you truly care for and find important. Your values work as a filter for your decision making, how you determine what to do next. As you begin to set your priorities, make sure that they reflect your values well. 

Family might hold a high value for you. Making time for them may then become a priority worth focusing on. Maybe a high value is timeliness. Making sure to stay organized and on pace may be an important way to prioritize your workday. 

No matter what your values are, use them as a filter for what is actually important for you to get done. 
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Schedule Your Distractions
Your day will have distractions. It's inevitable. Finding ways to reduce these is vital to successful prioritization. But we can go further than this. Schedule out your distractions.

The reason why distractions take so much away from our priorities is because they too hold a certain value. Instead of trying to shut out every distraction, to shut yourself in an internet free hut or where blinders and ear plugs, schedule time for your distractions.

Figure out what tends to get in your way and plan a time for it. Use this as a break time, a time to decompress, or even to wake you up. We all need breaks in the day. Making time for these will allow for greater focus on your priorities and keep you moving forward.

Make A Real Commitment
Every December, millions of people set New Years Resolutions. They set a list of priorities that they are determined to stick with all year. Every January, millions of people fail to stay true to these priorities. How can you make a real commitment?

Real commitment comes from a certain level of accountability. You can be accountable to yourself or to others, but this usually requires a bit of vulnerability and risk.

If you are motivated by your relationships, be sure to tell those close to you and those more distant about your commitment. You know your loved ones will forgive you if you fail to follow through. It may be more difficult to expect the same grace from people you aren't as close with. 

If you typically are more independent, find that something else that is important to you and genuinely put it on the line. Let's say money is important to you. Make sure you financially commit to your new goal. Maybe even make it hurt a little. If it's a true priority, it will likely be worth the expense.

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Conclusion

There are many ways to set up your priorities. It's important to not only set them, but to follow through. So what method are you going to try today? Leave a note in the comments with your response and don't forget to share this page with whoever you think it might help!

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