How correctly to prioritize?

How often do you have a question in your head: "What do I want?" "Sooner or later every person is asked this question. Trying to realize their dreams and satisfy desires, we choose our own way of life.

How to realize your goals in a certain period of your life

Desires can be an endless set. And how, in that case, should we determine the tasks of paramount importance and arrange the remaining aspirations in the right order? After all, everyone wants to be rich, healthy, ride an expensive car, learn a few languages and gain immortality. Ambitiousness is very good, but it should not exceed the scope of reality.

The main thing that you need to learn is to prioritize. First, take a pen and a blank sheet of paper. In the column, write down all your desires. Write the list in the present tense. For example: "I'm looking at my bank account. The balance is 500 thousand rubles. I feel happiness and satisfaction from the reward for my work. " The main condition is that you write it looks believable. That is, if you write that you are having lunch with the president, but unconsciously understand that this is impossible, or perhaps, but not in the near future, you should not write this.

Working with the wish list

After your desires have found a written form, start in turn to read them aloud, pausing before each subsequent recording. After reading one wish, close your eyes and concentrate on your feelings. What do you feel? This can be satisfaction, a sense of superiority over others, indifference, awe, or a sense of real happiness and flight.

It is the sense of happiness that is the true desire of every person. Perhaps he does not even realize it, but subconsciously, each of us is striving for happiness. Guided only by your inner feelings, you will understand what you really want from life and learn to prioritize.

Analysis of the three main points

Erase everything that does not meet your priorities, and leave three points. Why only three? It's simple, practice and research shows that a person can not effectively work on more than three tasks.

Think about what you are doing now, what kind of occupation takes you most of the time. The main question to ask yourself is whether this type of activity brings me closer to my goal. If the answer is negative, then it's time to change something.

The road to happiness is difficult, but properly placed priorities will greatly simplify and accelerate this process.

Interests of other people

Self-sacrifice and life for the sake of others, close people, makes sense only if it is a conscious choice of a person, the realization of which brings him joy and happiness. Of course, taking care of loved ones is a normal behavioral reaction, but when a sense of duty crosses one's own aspirations and dreams, driving a person into depression, this is no longer the norm. There are many examples where a healthy egoism played into the hands of not only the person, but also the members of his family.

A striking example is when young people, striving for a bright future, leave their homes and leave to study or work in other cities or countries where, in their opinion, young people expect a lot of opportunities and great success. Youthful maximalism often helps people and leads them in the right direction. While parents, wise to experience, prefer to keep their child to themselves, having the opportunity to help him when necessary.

Each person has his own goals, and no one, including close relatives, should hinder the achievement of the assigned tasks. You should not allow yourself to be manipulated, indulging others will not make you happy - rather, even vice versa.

Change of priorities

The above lists will develop your ability to prioritize. And by reaching all the points, it makes sense to get a new list.

It is perfectly normal when priorities change with age. The stages of growing up mean a change of thinking. The change in priorities should be of an evolutionary nature, but not vice versa.

Not the best option, when a person rushes through life and can not find his place. In this case it is important to analyze your actions, and to understand from what place everything went wrong as planned. If you have problems with the analysis of your actions, or if you need help, it is useful to visit a psychologist who can help prioritize correctly.

The etymology of the word '' priority ''

Interesting is the fact that the word '' priority '' in the plural was not used until the beginning of the 20th century. Before this concept was used only in the singular.

The word "priority" has a Latin prefix "prio", which means "before". Prioritizing means identifying the tasks that advance the realization of your goals.

There is an effective principle for working with priorities, namely the Eisenhower method. It helps to set all tasks using only two criteria - important and urgent.

Differences between important and urgent matters

The well-known Pareto principle tells us that 20 percent of all our tasks will be classified as important. Interestingly, some of them will also be considered urgent. What is the difference?

The implementation of important cases brings you closer to the goal. At the same time, the execution of urgent cases diverts your attention, but does not have a significant impact on the achievement of the chosen goal.

It's no secret that most people start with secondary tasks. The whole point is that they are easier, and do not require serious costs. And the brain, like the body, does not like overstraining, if they are not accustomed to this. And the implementation of non-important cases creates the appearance of work, but the truth is that you should pay attention to those tasks whose solution will contribute to your success. This will help you to know how to prioritize life.

Priority categories in the Eisenhower list

Priority A is the business that needs to be done today, because they are both urgent and important.

Priority B - this is a case, the implementation of which on a specific day is optional, but for which you need to find a short time every day. Their stable implementation will bring the goal closer.

A very common mistake is putting things off the second group for later. You do not need to do this, because the developed habit of solving problems constantly in a small amount will have a qualitative impact on your further achievements.

Examples of tasks from priority B:

1. Writing a diploma or an important report to work. Let's say you have a month to make it easy to prepare the required report. But you put the job in the black box. As a result, the moral and physical strain in the last hours before the report is delivered, can lead to a crisis and undesirable consequences.
2. In personal life, a clear example of the problems from the list of B, will be a timely examination with a doctor to identify the disease at an early stage, in order to avoid a long period of incapacity for work.

How to work with the priorities of the third and fourth order

Priority C. These include skills and training that you find urgent, but not important. For example, learn to say "no" when there is such a need. These tasks will provide you with the necessary time for solving priority problems.

Priority D. These are tasks that are not important and urgent. They can be safely postponed for later, or transferred to other people. It is strongly recommended that you periodically refuse to perform tasks from the list D. Due to this, you can get a full rest in the most stressful days.

How to correctly prioritize according to the Eisenhower method

Being able to prioritize is a simple task, the only thing that is required is to allocate a little time for writing. But later, following your own instructions, it will be much easier to act.

1. Classify your daily business according to the four above points. So it immediately becomes clear what is important and urgent, and what is useless.
2. Do not confuse important and urgent. Important things can be done gradually, giving them a little attention every day. They are an integral part of your success. Urgent matters require your attention and prompt decision. But your goal may not apply.
3. Note the hierarchical construction of the list. Important cases are higher than urgent. Do not focus on doing urgent things, as they have the properties to take a lot of time and attention, distracting from important tasks. If there is a possibility to avoid urgent business - use it.
4. Perform all items from Priority A. Even the last task from the first category is more important than the first item from the remaining groups. If the day did not manage to cope with all important matters, continue to work with them the next day. Do not go to other categories until you have completed all items from category A.
5. Daily try to perform the longest tasks from Priority B. But in everyday tasks, do not forget about your main goals and work towards their implementation.

No matter how you want to cover the maximum number of cases, there will not be enough time for everything. And this must be understood. The most important thing is to correctly prioritize, and then success will not take long.

Spread your time wisely, spending it on really important things that will help you achieve your goals and realize the most meaningful desires. The ability to distinguish important aspects of their activities and to avoid minor ones is an important and useful skill. The Eisenhower method helps to understand how to correctly prioritize life.