Last week, in Volume 46, we discussed the importance of articulating what our purpose is for our tomorrows. In deciding to take the next step, in furthering our understanding of what we want to accomplish, it can be helpful to set priorities. The process of priority setting can be especially helpful when we are trying to accomplish many tasks at the same time. It can also assist us with not becoming overwhelmed. Each of us has a finite amount of time we can spend in pursing our tasks. Priority setting allows us to assess what is most important to us at a given time. Without priorities we may spend our precious time trying to do too much and not accomplishing anything. Some helpful hints in establishing priorities are the following:
Make a list of tasks that you want to accomplish.
Keep your list manageable.
Know the difference between urgent and important and accomplish the important first. If we spend much of our time responding to what appears to be urgent, we can loose focus of our overall purpose.
Establish a timeline to be able to assess your progress.
Share with trusted family and friends.
Clearly define your end point.
The priority list is a living document in that it continually changes. However, as it changes, we need to continually assess how it remains true to our purpose.
Key Takeaways
Priority setting is a reflective process that takes time.
Priority setting can keep us on track with fulfilling our purpose in life.
Be alert to becoming over or under whelmed.
Best Practices
Breathe.
Continually assess your spiritual-physical-psychological health.
Put first things, first.
Things to Limit
Doing too many tasks at the same time.
Giving in to urgency.
Being mesmerized by accomplishments.
Quote of the Week
“A simple life is not how little we can get by with-that’s poverty-but how efficiently we can put first things first … When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar.”
~ Victoria Moran
In summary, while priority setting may seem limiting, it opens us up to accomplish what is significant to us, namely, our purpose in living.
Be well,
Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD
The paraDocs
Check our Welcome Greeting on YouTube
The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
We have developed "The ZONE", because that is exactly where you want to be during this pandemic. A place of focused attention to doing exactly what needs to be done to get you to where you need to be. The purpose of The Zone is to provide a nationally distributed weekly mental-health and nutrition tip-sheet during times of change.
If you would like to get copies of The ZONE that you may have missed or if you know someone that would like to start receiving The ZONE, please signup today... It's free and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Permission is given to share with others.
Comments