The Verdict is in! ITS PRIORITIES!

WHEN WE LAST MET

Nearly a month ago I questioned whether my month long absence from posting was due to priorities or excuses.  I can say with 100% certaintity that it is priorities and continues to be priorities.  Since that post I was fortunate enough to have a little inspiration from my sons commencement ceremony and then a helping hand from a friend and former colleague with a guest post.  If not for those two events I would again be facing another month long gap in posting.  I hate it.  I am dedicated to keeping this project alive but I also know that a big key to success is knowing and managing your priorities.

LOOKING FORWARD ANOTHER 30 DAYS

As I have mentioned before I am a big fan and diligent follower of David Allen’s Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (affiliate link).  I honestly feel that this book saved me from a near nervous breakdown at a previous employer and has been key to my successes ever since then.  I have also mentioned the FOUR CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING ACTION + MY ADDITION in a previous post.  As I look forward at the next 30 days I know that those criteria will most likely result in another gap in posting.  July is packed with deliverables both at home and at the day job.  I have a couple subjects burning in my mind but I am not sure the “Time Available” criteria will allow them to be created in July.  I plan to try if and when the “Context” and “Energy” criteria lead me to that action.  In the end all that really matters is that I have negotiated the priorities of the next 30 days with myself and can live with what I have decided to put on the back burner based on those priorities. 

My fifth criteria is “Balance.”  Its the toughest criteria to manage.  I have seen and read about systems that work to create a daily balance.  I struggle with that one given how short 24 hours really is.  There are days that need to be focused on one goal in order to bring it to completion.  I personally try to focus on a weekly balance but even that time span can at times need to be focused on a project or goal.  Monthly, in my eyes, is about the largest span of time you should go without at least reviewing the priorities and entire “To Do” list to ensure you are not falling to far out of balance.  Here again, it can be tough at times and requires a level of discipline that I can’t say I have fully achieved although trying my best.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN…

My goals are set and my priorities are clear.  It may be a few weeks until we meet again but I will not allow it to be more than a month.  Remember:

1. Context
2. Time Available
3. Energy Available
4. Priority

and never let the hardest one – BALANCE – go without consideration.

What do your priorities and BALANCE look like right now?