There is a fact many of us have a hard time accepting. Just because we think something is important doesn’t mean it is a priority for us. There are a lot of issues and activities that many of us agree are important in general. Some of them are even important to us in particular. The problem arises when we convince ourselves they are priorities for us when they actually aren’t.
There is a simple test I can do to determine whether you truly prioritize something or someone. I look at your schedule.
Priorities get a place on our calendar. We make time for them. In contrast, important things get a lot of air time while we are doing the things we really prioritize. We talk about how we know we need to do them, and then don’t.
There is a trick some of us do to convince ourselves we prioritize things we think we “should.” We put tasks on our calendar and constantly cancel or reschedule when something “really important” comes up.
I know some of you are making justifications in your heads because that last thing really was important and time-sensitive. There is no doubt from me that it was. I’m just saying, from personal experience, it may also have been a huge relief for you in the deepest parts of your spirit.
My firm belief is God isn’t going to make you do something you don’t want to do. I can give you numerous examples of him providing me a legitimate out when my spirit wasn’t into something on my schedule, even if it was in my best interest to do it. Consciously or unconsciously, we make our schedule reflect our priorities.
The reason it is essential to recognize where our priorities lie is it affects our life strategies. Something that is merely important needs to be attached to a priority to get proper attention. Being fit may be something you find important, not a priority. After having a heart attack, you may attach being fit to your priority of staying alive. Next thing you know, you are a regular at the gym.
Ideally, we will find incentives for getting important tasks accomplished without having a life-threatening or life-altering event. In reality, crisis is what kicks a lot of us into action. In my opinion, the best first step to being more proactive than reactive is distinguishing priority from important.
If you find yourself struggling to do the things you think are your priorities, I encourage you to answer the following questions honestly.
Is this person or project really a priority for me?
Would my calendar support me in that claim?
If not, what makes the things on my calendar an actual priority right now?
Those questions are not meant to shame anyone. It’s just to get real in a way that supports your success. The next time you state something is a priority, be honest with yourself about whether that claim would hold up under scrutiny of your schedule.
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Dr Jattu Senesie is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, certified success coach, physician satisfaction specialist and speaker. She blogs about issues of self care and well-being in an effort to help her fellow altruistic high achievers find satisfaction in their success as early in their careers as possible.
