How to Set Priorities?
posted in Brian Tracy, Self-improvement |There are many commitments, tasks and activities that we need to complete in our daily life. A lot of times, we focus on the wrong activities and end up not achieving our objectives and goals.
I feel the skill on how to set priorities is a must for everyone.
Brian Tracy talked about:
The ABCDE Method for Setting Priorities
This is a simple process of setting short-term priorities by jotting down the many things that we need to do using a pad of paper and a pen. I find this very effective and efficient. By doing so, I found that I did not get so stressed up and lose my focus.
Although there is never enough time to do everything, there is always enough time to do the most important things, and to stay with them until they are done right. Stay focus on what is really important in our daily work. Separate the urgent from the important. Plan every day in advance.
With the list of tasks, next determine the major goals or objectives we want to achieve. Use the A-B-C-D-E method to rank our tasks, You place one of those letters in the margin before each of the tasks on the list.
“A” stands for “very important;” something you must do. There can be serious negative consequences if you don’t do it.
“B” stands for “important;” something you should do. This is not as important as your ‘A’ tasks. There are only minor negative consequences if it is not completed.
“C” stands for things that are “nice to do;” but which are not as important as ‘A’ or ‘B,’ tasks. There are no negative consequences for not completing it.
“D” stands for “delegate.” You can assign this task to someone else who can do the job instead of you.
“E” stands for “eliminate, whenever possible.” You should eliminate every single activity you possibly can, to free up your time.
If we use the A-B-C-D-E method well, we can very easily sort out what is important and unimportant. This then will help us focus our time and attention on those items on our list that are most essential for you to do.
Last but not least, determine the 1 or 2 things we must do. Have the courage to say no to all diversions and distractions and focus single-mindedly on accomplishing those priorities.
Remember to do these to achieve more in your life:
Three ideas that you can use, every day, to help you set priorities and to keep you working at your best:
First, be clear about your goals and objectives so that the priorities you set are moving you in the direction of something that is of real value to you.
Second, remember to work on high-priority tasks. It is not the amount of time that you put in overall; rather, it’s the amount of time that you spend working on high-priority tasks.
Third, understand that the most important factor in setting priorities is your ability to make wise choices. You are always free to choose to engage in one activity or another.
To our greatest health, happiness and prosperity,
Peck Ling
