Things I’m Avoiding Doing December Challenge Day Twenty-Three – How to Make Something a Priority

One of the things I’ve learned over the years about getting stuff done is this:

The most important choice you ever make is what you choose to make important.

So the difference between what gets done and what doesn’t is often more about intention and priorities than possibilities or circumstances.

If you want to prioritize something from your “Things I’ve been avoiding doing” list, here are three simple steps to get it done.

1. Do it first

One of the simplest ways I know to prioritize something is to begin with it – to put it right at the top of the agenda and stick with it until it’s done. This approach seems to work particularly well with both actions and “mini-goals” – i.e. things that can be completed within the course of a few minutes to a few hours.

2. Do it now

I’ve yet to meet the person who isn’t blown off course during the course of a day. In fact, no matter how many Post-It notes you stick on your computer, fridge, and dashboard, I guarantee you’ll forget about your chosen priorities again and again. So the next time something from your list comes to mind, see if you can just do it now and get it off your list for good.

3. Do it often

How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time. How do you prioritize something on your list that’s going to take more than a few minutes? By coming back to it again and again and again (and if necessary, again.)

Play around with prioritizing things from your list today and notice what you notice – worst case, you just might find yourself getting stuff off your list and into the world!

With all my love,