Certain things can’t be over emphasized and prioritization
happens to be one of those things. We are taught to have priorities right from
childhood and yet that is one of those things that we never seem to get a grip
of right into our adult life. We know what needs to be done and the urgency of
each task yet somehow it keeps slipping away and getting lost in all the other
things that scream for our attention. We plan, budget, schedule and yet still
we fall short of the mark when it comes to things that ought to be of high
priority.
When you develop the habit of setting priorities and concentrating
single-mindedly, you will be able to accomplish virtually anything you want in
life. The core strategy has been the primary reason for high income, wealth
creation, and financial independence for thousands and even millions of people. Your ability to determine your highest priority and then to work on that high
priority until it is completed is the primary test and measure of your
willpower, self-discipline, and personal character. It is the hardest
discipline to develop but also the most important if you want to be a big
success.
Your high priorities will differ through the different stages
of life, this means it is not a one size fit for all. You will have to review
your priorities from time to time to ensure that you are still on the right
track. Single out the things that only you can do and if you did them well
would give you the highest return on your investment. Among those, focus on the
things that you do so well and excel at because these will motivate you to take
on the other tasks where you might not be the best player and challenge you to
improve.
Time is your most scarce resource so you must learn to manage
it efficiently. Commit to things that give you the highest value for your time
investment. Learn to distinguish things that are urgent and unimportant from
the things that are urgent and highly important. Also note that not every
urgent thing requires your immediate attention. Mothers master this when
dealing with toddlers, not every scream will necessitate an immediate reaction
then learn to read between the screams to know which ones require immediate
attention.
Commit to working single-mindedly on one task, the most
important task, and staying at it until it is 100 percent complete. Persevere
without diversion or distraction. Push yourself to keep working at the job until
it is done. Develop the habit of sticking at it until it’s done even when you
feel tired, bored or unenthusiastic. This discipline will translate to other
aspects of your life.
The good news is that by continually setting priorities and
concentrating on your highest value tasks, you will soon develop the habit of
high performance. This attitude will then become automatic and will virtually guarantee
you great success in life.
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