Creating Boundaries
Being clear on where you’re going can help you understand what is truly a priority rather than what might just feel like a priority. In a FastCompany article, an entrepreneur who was profiled on setting daily priorities simply focuses on customers, quality, and cash flow. He stated that if an issue did not directly and materially impact one of those three areas, it could wait.
Are there boundaries you could establish in your personal or professional life that would help you clarify your priorities? As Oprah Winfrey said, “Each time you say YES to someone or something, you say NO to you and your other priorities.”
Journaling Activity
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you clarify & accomplish your priorities. Take 15 minutes to write in your journal on any of the questions below that seem significant.
- What do I absolutely have to accomplish today?
- Does this task directly support my goals?
- Are there other people or variables involved with my day’s priorities that may slow the completion process?
- When does this absolutely need to get done by?
- What are the 3 things that must get done today?
- Is this task challenging? If so, what’s one step I can take?
- Can this task be delegated?
TIP: In the book “How to Win Friends & Influence People”, author Dale Carnegie shares a story of an incredibly successful entrepreneur. Carnegie asks this entrepreneur, “If you could attribute your success to one thing, what is it?” The entrepreneur told Carnegie that every morning he writes down everything he needs to do. He then prioritizes that list from most important to least important. Beginning with the most important one first, he then keeps moving until the day is complete. When the next morning comes, he adds any new items to his list, re-prioritizes and repeats the process.
Following this strategy ensures you’re always working on what’s most important.
