Dear daughter, the journey of learning how to prioritize can be daunting. Because of that, I want to share with you 21 tips that helped me in that journey.
1- Identify your goals
What do you want to achieve?
Once you know your goals, you can start to prioritize your tasks based on how they help you to achieve those goals.
2- Break down large tasks into smaller ones
This can make your goals seem less daunting and more manageable.
It will also help you to not feel overwhelmed.
3- Estimate how long each task will take
This will help you to create a realistic timeline for completing your tasks.
Remember, to have time-bounded tasks is important for you to be productive.
4- Set deadlines for yourself.
Deadlines can help you to stay on track and to avoid procrastination.
Remember, if you can measure it, you can achieve it. But if you cannot measure, you will probably procrastinate.
5- Be flexible
Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to adjust your priorities as needed.
Nothing is written in stone. So, adjust your goals, timelines, and deadlines, anytime you need to.
6- Delegate tasks when possible
If you can, delegate tasks to others so that you can focus on the most important things.
7- Learn to say no.
It’s okay to say no to requests that are not a priority for you.
Just visualize this, every time you say yes to something, you are saying no to several other things.
Are you willing to say no to all the other things (some of them might be more important to you)?
An example, you are invited to a party on Wednesday evening. You know how long this type of party is. You have an important commitment on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. If you say yes to your party, you probably are saying no to the commitment on Thursday morning.
So, what is most important for you? If it is your commitment, then you should say no to the party.
8- Take breaks
It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout.
Also, at least one day a week you should rest. It is important to be fresh so we can be productive.
If you feel sleepy or tired the whole day, chances are that you won’t be as productive as you can be.
If that is the case, take a break, rest enough, and then restart your routine.
9- Reward yourself for completing tasks
Rewards are important for us. For instance, when we embark on a financial freedom journey, we do it because of the reward we expect to get once we achieve it.
Every time you finish a task, reward yourself. This will help you to stay motivated and on track.
10- Use a to-do list
A to-do list can help you to keep track of your tasks and to prioritize them accordingly.
Use an app on your phone to keep your to-do list up to date. Or write it down on a piece of paper. If you have it on paper, make sure you always have it with you.
11- Use the Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix is a popular tool for prioritizing tasks. It divides tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, not urgent and important, urgent and not important, and not urgent and not important.
By using the matrix, you will focus on what is more important, and the things that can bring you more results over time. You will also minimize the number of urgent things you have to do. This will reduce stress and will make you feel better.
12- Use the ABCDE method
The ABCDE method is another popular tool for prioritizing tasks. It ranks tasks from A (most important) to E (least important).
Prioritize your tasks, decide what is more important and what is less important. Then execute their tasks according to their importance.
13- Focus on the present moment
Don’t worry about the past or the future. Focus on the task at hand and do your best to complete it.
Remember how powerful is the “now”. Review again the summary of the book “Practicing the Power of Now” that I wrote for you.
14- Avoid distractions
Turn off your phone, close your email, and find a quiet place to work.
In other words, declutter your life, so you can be more productive, have less stress, among other benefits.
15- Take care of yourself
Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly.
Your health is of utmost importance. You are on your way to becoming a wealthy woman. But if you are not healthy, you won’t be able to enjoy the wealth you are creating.
So, spend time taking care of yourself, you will be rewarded in the future.
16- Be patient
It takes time to learn how to prioritize effectively. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right away.
Rome was one of the greatest empires that existed a while ago. Remember the saying “Rome was not built in one day”?
So, be patient, and in the meantime, while waiting/working for the expected results, enjoy your life.
17- Ask for help
If you are struggling to prioritize, ask for help from a friend, family member, or mentor.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
If you are struggling, repeat this:
- Ask and it shall be given to you.
- Seek and you shall find.
- Nock and it shall be opened unto you.
18- Set realistic expectations
Don’t try to do too much at once. Start with small goals and gradually increase your workload as you become more comfortable with prioritizing.
The 1000 thousand journey starts with the first step. Don’t overthink it, just start with the first step, and be consistent over time. If you do that, you will achieve everything you want to achieve.
19- Be positive
A positive attitude can go a long way in helping you to prioritize effectively.
Thinking positively works! It makes people want to be close to you.
No one wants to be close to a person with a negative attitude. And we need people around us to be successful.
20- Celebrate your successes
When you achieve a goal, take a moment to celebrate your success. This will help you to stay motivated and on track.
21- Don’t give up
Prioritizing is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Don’t give up if you don’t get it right away. Just keep practicing and you will eventually get the hang of it.
Write down the following note and put it in a place where you will see it most of the time. Read it aloud at least once a day:
- A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits.
I trust that these tips help you to prioritize effectively and to achieve your goals. They helped me many times.
Love you, Dad.