The pressure to prioritize never goes away. If things are going well in your business [or in life], something will always seem on fire. If you’ve got things under control, that’s a big red flag – it’s a sign you are doing what is urgent, and not what is important.
I read this quote on a business website and it got me to thinking!
Often, when I am working or just busy doing tasks around the house, I have this picture in my mind that one day when chores and tasks are properly prioritized and organized, then life will run like a peaceful, well-oiled machine. But the truth is, that day probably won’t come as I picture it. Because the reality of it is, should things be that peaceful and ideal, I would feel inclined to squeeze more into my days!
I think most women think this way – I hear and read about it frequently. We seem to think others have things perfectly prioritized – but we are all human! Perhaps we have something here or there figured out and working well, but many other areas are unorganized and messy. So instead of becoming discouraged about how we are the only ones who don’t have the perfect schedule or plan, let’s consider how we can better prioritize our life to do what we do best!
What is Your Top Priority
In much of life we have tasks that we must accomplish – whether or not we might initially choose them. Perhaps this includes organizing and filing papers, emptying trash bins so they don’t overflow, or washing the dishes. Many of these tasks might come across as routine or mundane, but when we remember that every task should be done to please God, then it brings a new significance to it!
What does this have to do with prioritizing, you might wonder. To prioritize something is to consider it more important or necessary than something else.
When you prioritize a tidy work area, keeping it picked up and clean becomes a priority. You might be the only one in your office or home that has a neat area. Depending on who you live and work around, you might be teased about it. But when you determine to let God’s Word become your top priority, it doesn’t matter if others fail to notice your efforts or even tease you about them. You are giving your best to God and that is top priority!
First suggestion in learning how to prioritize your tasks: Make God the center of your priorities. He really is remarkable about giving specific direction and ideas if we just remember to ask Him!
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. – Colossians 3:23
Don’t Underestimate Little Things
Another excellent step in learning to prioritize your tasks is to understand how important the little things are. Depending where you are in life or what you are doing, the little things might range from your homework to your siblings to your clients. I haven’t come across a part of life yet that isn’t full of detail and highly important. And I am beginning to think that if we have an inclination to undermine the importance of something, then perhaps we ought to reconsider and re-prioritize it.
Little things are especially important because they are easily overlooked. A small note of encouragement (not an entire book!), a kind word (not an hour-long speech!), or a freshly picked wildflower (not an entire florist shop!) can each have an enormous effect on a person’s day! Remember: Less is More! Little things can have a much larger effect than big things!
When we prioritize the little things, we rediscover their importance and power!
If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. – Luke 16:10
Making Progress
Making visible progress is always encouraging! Whether you are vacuuming the house, closing an important deal, or putting the kids to bed (ha!): Progress is encouraging!
How can you prioritize progress? By making sure that as you go about your day and accomplish what you have to do, you recognize your progress and celebrate it! Your celebration might be as simple as a quick applause, a jump of joy, or a celebratory squeal! It’s up to you – but you must do something to celebrate your progress! Even when it’s small – or rather, especially when it’s small!
Your enthusiastic celebration of progress will encourage your heart!
… And you will rejoice in all you have accomplished because the LORD your God has blessed you. – Deuteronomy 12:7b
Choose Joy
Fourth on the list of how to prioritize tasks is to choose joy! Making joy a priority is vitally important! Trudging along in drudgery and depression will make all your work, each of your tasks, a burden. But when you choose joy, when you realize that everything you do, the small and large things alike, play an important part in your unique life, you will find a new wonder and enthusiasm for each of your tasks!
That joy that you experience will shine in your eyes and inspire others! When you prioritize joy, your work will improve, you will be encouraged and you will be a positive example to others!
… Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” – Nehemiah 8:10b
How to Prioritize Tasks
But wait, we didn’t get down to the tasks themselves. Do we file papers or send emails first? How do we properly prioritize our tasks? How do we avoid ignoring what is important while we are busy doing the urgent things, as mentioned in the quote above?
Quite simply, by following the very first suggestion: Make God the center of your priorities. If you do that, the rest will follow.
Yes, I definitely recommend the other three suggestions, but those are important to me, not necessarily the absolute next steps in prioritizing your tasks. Ask God what is important for you to prioritize. Perhaps you need to develop patience or practice being more alert. If you will make God the center of your life and seek to develop your life around Him, then He will direct you and bless your efforts!
How do you prioritize your tasks? What is your top priority? I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Until Next Time!
Hope.