Most of us spend our days feeling like we were really, really busy; but at the end of the day it seems that we have accomplished very little. People spend their days working on urgent matters rather than what is really important. The truth is that if we spent our time working on things that are important we would have little left in our lives that was urgent. Think of it this way: if you neglect your car it will break down. You have neglected what is important, car maintenance, and now you have and urgent matter to deal with. It is better to make sure that your car has the maintenance it needs over time rather than having to deal with a crisis. So how do we stay focused on what is truly important?
• Daily List. Make a list of the three things that are most important for that day. To make that list ask yourself what you would do if you could only do three things that day.
• Provide value with everything that you do. When you are about to take on a task ask yourself what value you are providing yourself or others by getting it done. You may find that it is time to move on to another task.
• Do it early. Do your list of most important tasks first thing in the morning. You will have fewer distractions at this time. Even if you do get bogged down later in the day you will still feel like you really accomplished something.
• Judge tasks on their long term value. Checking Facebook will have little future value, where as writing a chapter in your novel will really be a step towards your goals. Eating a healthy breakfast and working out will help you long term much more than a greasy donut.
thanks for the most interesting post!!!
Hello there. Just thought I’d comment on “how to focus on what’s important”. I’ll begin with a few questions. Do birds have trouble focusing on migrating to warmer climes? Does the wolf find it difficult to stay focused on hunting with its pack? Do daisies lose track of howto nurture themselves with sunshine and nutrients from the soil? No times three of course, because it’s in their nature to do these things. Same holds true of human beings. Anyone who learns the Art of being themselves will unerringly follow their passion. Each man or woman who knows who they are and what to do with their life need not worry about staying focused. That famous Bliss Joseph Campbell spoke of will push us in the direction we’re meant to go in, making us sure of what to do. Our number one priority will naturally be….being ourselves. Like the salmon who finds its way home without trouble, so too will we know what to focus on to go home. John Duffield
Hello there. Just thought I’d comment on “how to focus on what’s important”. I’ll begin with a few questions. Do birds have trouble focusing on migrating to warmer climes? Does the wolf find it difficult to stay focused on hunting with its pack? Do daisies lose track of howto nurture themselves with sunshine and nutrients from the soil? No times three of course, because it’s in their nature to do these things. Same holds true of human beings. Anyone who learns the Art of being themselves will unerringly follow their passion. Each man or woman who knows who they are and what to do with their life need not worry about staying focused. That famous Bliss Joseph Campbell spoke of will push us in the direction we’re meant to go in, making us sure of what to do. Our number one priority will naturally be….being ourselves. Like the salmon who finds its way home without trouble, so too will we know what to focus on to go home. John Duffield