Sometimes, we get so caught up in the busyness of life that we get stuck going through the motions. Having a priority list will help you maintain a balance with your time and energy between all the things in life that vie for your attention. This will ensure that your decisions align with what is actually important to you.
Create a Priority List
Start by thinking about the people or things that are important to you, then placing them in order from most important to least important.
Here’s my priority list as an example which provides the framework for my schedule and life:
- God
- Family
- Friends
- Health
- Work
The reason God is first on the list is because I know that getting that relationship right enables me to be more loving to others. If I notice myself being more selfish or short-tempered, I’ll spend some alone time realigning my thoughts and attitude to the Bible. Then I become able to properly care for and be a blessing to my family and friends again.
Having a clear list of priorities helps me to make decisions more easily. For example, if I had to choose between making extra money and spending quality time with family, I could easily make the decision to spend time with family.
Nuanced Scenarios
In the case of needing to pay off a debt, it would be a caring choice for you to earn extra money to pay it off even if you may need to say ‘no’ to some family gatherings. It is caring to make sure your family doesn’t have to worry about your debt. That is not to say you should neglect spending time with your family until that debt is completely cleared. You should find a healthy balance, especially for the sake of your mental and physical health.
To ensure your choices are lining up with your priorities, review how you’ve spent your time in the past two weeks, noting what you weren’t able to spend time on, and blocking off time in your calendar for those things in the upcoming weeks.
Pros and Cons
For big decisions such as choosing a job or when to get married, it’s helpful to make a list of pros and cons for you to compare and weight your options before making a decision. Be honest and stay objective when weighing the impact of the option in consideration. Start by listing anything that comes to mind – even things that may have even a slight influence in your decision, and categorize either as a pro or con. This will provide some perspective for how to handle the decision as well.
Some choices may force us to compromise our preferences or values. This is also true for emergency situations. Knowing clearly the pros and cons behind a decision will give you confidence in making the right choice for you and your situation.
Understand Your Limitations
Evaluate what you can reasonably handle as we all have limitations and weaknesses. Being aware of your needs, personality, and tendencies will help you better navigate the delicate balance of your cumulative life choices.
You may need to schedule time for rest or to have a social life; coordinate what would best reflect a healthy lifestyle for you. Some common pitfalls you may want to watch out for include overcommitting, procrastination, and choosing wants over needs.
Continue to Reassess
Life is dynamic, and your focus may shift over time. Continue to reassess and realign your decisions with any changes. Think about your long-term goals in regards to your priority list and make sure you plan enough time or resources for each to be successful. Evaluate if it’s feasible to reach your goals, and if not, readjust your current and upcoming resources to your top priorities.
Getting on the Same Page
For those closest to you, it’s helpful to know what their priorities are, and hopefully, to have the same priorities in life as you. When everyone is on the same page, you and your community can work towards the same goals in life supported by the same values.
Conclusion
Practice thinking long-term when responding to commitments. As you continue matching your choices to your priorities, you will be able to make better decisions more quickly.
Hello, I’m Amenda Wong. With years of professional experience in marketing as a graphic designer, I’ve cultivated a diverse skill set. Beyond my career, I’m passionate about understanding different perspectives and meaningful dialogue. In my spare time, I also enjoy using whatever talents I have to serve my community.