Priorities

One of the best ways to be successful is to prioritize.  This week I want you to focus on your priorities.  What matters most to you?  What things on your to do list are the most pressing?  Stop, take a moment, and answer those two questions.

The first question is very important.  What really matters to you?  Is it your family?  Is it friends?  What friends specifically matter the most? 

I used to live in California, a long way from Colorado where I grew up.  When I would come home for the holidays, there was a long list of things to do, places to go, and people to see.  I had limited time to do it all.  It was impossible in a short visit.  After a few frustrating trips home, I decided to start prioritizing.  What things were the most important?  What places did I want to be sure not to miss?  What people were the most important ones to see?

Once I had my priorities straight, it was easy.  I made sure to schedule a time for each of them.  I saw all of the people and went to all of the places that really mattered to me.  Everything else on my list was a maybe.  If I saw those friends who weren't a priority or went to that store that I loved in high school, great.  If I didn't have the time, oh well.  I took care of the things that really mattered.

The next question is equally important.  What things are the most pressing?  If we don't pay our bills, it doesn't matter that we spent time with all of our dearest friends.  If we show up at a party without the dessert that we promised to bring, we let down the people who were counting on us to bring it.

It is equally important to make space in your life for those things that can't be put off.  I can procrastinate with the best of them but there are some things that just need to be done.  As you create your list of priorities, make a note of these things and make space for them as well.

Surviving and thriving through the holiday season really can be as simple as prioritizing your life.  If you know what needs to be done and you know what really matters to you, you can make space for those things first.  Everything else is just gravy.

Take time this week to examine your priorities.  Make sure that you do all of the things that really matter.