There are days when we just feel scattered and don’t know where to start with all the tasks and things we need to do. Do you ever think “the faster I go the further behind I get”? I think we all have days like this. Let’s put first things first which means let’s prioritize what we need to do and what we want to do. Prioritizing is all about making choices.
As a professional organizer I work with people helping them to reduce clutter in their lives. As we prioritize effectively it helps us reduce clutter in our homes, at work and in our daily lives.
To prioritize effectively we need to recognize what is important to us. High priority tasks are based on what we value and those that help us achieve goals and provide long term results that we want to achieve.
First things first; make a list of all the tasks that you want to accomplish. This can be a list of what you want to do today and another list can be those things you want to do in the future. By each one of the tasks assign a number. For example:
Priority #1: Must Do tasks and commitments that have to be done today, Priority #2: Important things to do that do not have to be done today, Priority #3: Least urgent tasks. Work in the order of the most important to the least important. If you don’t finish all of them in one day, move them to the next day or onto a To Do list that you can do on any given day.
Do not think of your priorities as just jobs that need to be done. As you do the most important tasks first, you will find yourself letting go of tasks that really didn't need to be done at that time. For example, what's more important--helping your child with homework or weeding the flower bed?
Also take note that there is a difference between tasks that NEED to be done and those that you WANT to do. Deciding the order in which you prioritize tasks means you start with the needs first and move to the wants afterwards. Or sometimes do a few “needs to do” and thrown in a “want to do” before all the needs are done.
Know your limitations. It is a skill to learn to say no when you are asked to do something and you just don’t have the time. Think of your priorities and your needs. Can you give your best to everything all of the time? Saying no sometimes is a good thing for you and for the person asking for your time on another project.
Interruptions are going to happen. Learn how to deal with them in a positive way—put your phone on silent and let the answering machine take messages that you can return later. Screen calls using caller ID. Plan time with your children so they will let you have time to do what you need to do. Sometimes you may need to get up earlier than anyone else to accomplish tasks so there are fewer interruptions.
Delegating tasks to others frees up some of your time for the things that only you can do. Give your family responsibilities and hold them responsible. They will learn when you give them a task to do that you won’t come along and do it for them. You may have to learn that everything doesn’t have to be perfect, especially when someone is learning a new skill. For example allow your child to fold the laundry even if it isn’t perfect. They will get better with practice.
Prioritizing is a skill that can be learned and the benefits are amazing when it is done consistently. It makes your life easier; it runs smoother and helps you to reduce clutter in your home, at work and in your life.
Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing organizing tips. Clearing clutter helps those she works with to have less stress in their lives and feel more joy in living.
Marilyn invites you to visit her website marilynbohn.com where you can find organizing solutions. You will find fun stories and free organizing tips in her blogs, articles and videos.