Priority vs Priorities

I was having a chat with a client today who is struggling with weight loss. Like many of us, she has a busy career, a son who is needing extra attention right now, an overworked (and possibly under-helpful spouse) and a new puppy.  All of these things are pulling at her and she is struggling to make small dietary changes and find time for regular exercise.  As I was trying to figure out what her focus was at this moment in time, she says to me:  “Amanda, I just have too many priorities!”

How many times have you said this or felt this way? I know there have been times when I felt that I had waaaaaay too much going on!!   Because what I had done is overloaded my plate with too many tasks that I placed value on.  But the truth is, a priority is meant to be a singular word. Meaning something is a priority over another thing or things.  So a priority is the most important thing.  Not the most important 10 things!  LOL!  Often things that feel urgent are confused with things that are important.  

What I have learned along the way is that when I am feeling overwhelmed, I need to take a step back and really focus on what are the 1 or 2 things that are the most important to me.  And those things can change as work and family ebb and flow. And if you’re like most people, family is the most important thing.  But that doesn’t mean that EVERY family thing takes priority over every other thing in your life.  So take a moment to assess the situation and ask a couple pertinent questions:

• If you could only get 1 (or maybe even 2) thing(s) done today, what would it be?

• If you could outsource, put off, or delegate one thing, what would you get rid of? Ideally this will be the biggest obstacle to getting your most important item finished.

• If you only had 1 hour to spend time with your family, how would you spend it?

For me, it’s super simple.  :-)  I ask myself if what I am doing is making me a better coach or is driving my business?  If not, it can wait.  And if I only have an hour, I am spending it taking a walk with Sal and Matt.  What about you?