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"Regain Your Confidence, Reclaim Your Life">
Priorities and Purpose ~ Part II
March 29, 2010
Important -vs- Urgent
Do you know the difference between Important and Urgent? Important things are the actions and goals that are in-line with our highest life priorities. Urgent things are all those little obstacles that pop up to distract us from the important things: a ringing telephone (who else feels absolutely compelled to stop whatever you are doing and answer the phone when it rings, or at least run and check the caller ID to see who's calling?), the sink full of dirty dishes or the pile of laundry that seem to be calling your name when you are trying to concentrate on completing a presentation for work, a friend who is trying to entice you to go shopping when you've got a deadline to get that website copy finished - it is all those little distractions that cry for our attention and keep us from achieving all that we are capable of. But if we understand the principle of the 3 D's we are able to spend more time on the Important actions that will move us forward towards our goals and dreams.
The Three D's
1. Do It - If the task, or activity, is something that you feel is in-line with your highest priorities, or if it is something that just has to be done and you feel, for whatever reason, that you should be the one to do it, then do it! Do not wait. Do not sit it aside and go into procrastination mode planning to do it "later". Just get up, take action and get it done. Most things that we dread doing, or procrastinate on are not that difficult if we just begin to take action on them. Be proactive. Take the first step and the rest just falls into place. If you sit it aside for later it will continue to weigh you down until it gets your full attention.
2. Delegate It - When we are able to release the little mundane tasks and chores it frees us up to tackle the big things, the "important" things. Now, I know delegation doesn't come easy to everyone. Many of us believe that the only way something will be done "right" is if we do it ourself. But in allowing ourselves to think that way we are in essence making the judgement call that no one else is capable of handling things aw well as we can. In some areas of life it may also mean that we are denying others the ability to give service, or give of themselves which may keep them from feeling valuable or fulfilled in their own right. Once I learned this concept I began to relax my own stance on delegation and I've found it to be one of the most important time-management techniques that I use. Delegation can be as simple as making a list and letting hubby go to the grocery store, teaching the kids to sort and fold their own laundry, or hiring someone to come in and clean once, or twice, a week. Don't be afraid to delegate. You will get so much more accomplished in the areas of your life that are most important to you.
3. Dump It - This is actually the simplest "D" of them all. If it does not fit your criteria for your highest priorities list, if you don't absolutely love what you are doing or the results that what you are doing will bring about, if it can be released back into the universe for someone else to handle, then Dump It! If others will be effected by your releasing it, then try to make the transition as easy for everyone as possible. At the same time don't take on more responsibility for the switch over then is reasonable. Further, a good way to not have to dump future projects or involvements is to learn to say no from the very beginning.
Next time, in part III, we'll discuss: Learning to Say No
Viki
Viki Stanley-Hutchison
Certified Life Coach
Life Transitions for Women
www.lifetransitionsforwomen.com
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