Our priorities are relevant. They define us. We choose to state what is essential and uphold those ideals.
Let’s begin with the word priority: It suggests what is most important. But then, we have allowed ourselves to permit many priorities to deal with our inability to make decisions.
How many organizations have no sense of their priorities or have more than 20 priorities? Either way, you have none. You may have many tasks, but calling these priorities negates anything of importance. As the strategist and author Jim Collins put it, “if you have more than three priorities, you have none.”
What we prioritize is fundamental. Generally, we have six areas we typically dedicate time to, and where our attention is, is where we find results. If we all work, one’s career may be a success, yet we may find misaligned relationships, friendships, health, wisdom, and inner sensibilities. The measure is not necessarily time but instead attaining appropriate dedicated focus consistently.
Organizations will dedicate significant resources to developing priorities only to announce them and do little with them.
Essential is the creation of a small finite set of priorities, understanding what it will take to attain success for each one, and then methodically and consistently working towards achieving them. If we believe we are not performing what’s important to us, personally or as a group, look to see your priorities and how often you dedicate specific time and attention to them.
