We are fortunate that in most cases we have choices on how we can manage our time, priorities and ability to decide what tasks (opportunities) we will accomplish to meet our goals. Some tasks are pushed to the front of our priority list by necessity and criticality, and others are less time sensitive.
I have been fortunate to have had the ability to experience a wide range of opportunities to practice priority management as I continue to accept new opportunities to learn.
For me, completing projects or tasks provides a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of contributing. Completing tasks or projects as quickly as possible “just to get them completed” can lead a person to complete a greater amount of tasks, however, these tasks might not be the most critical ones for the greater benefit. If you stop to consider what is most valuable in the long run, you might consider focusing your efforts on completing a task that is more challenging and might require learning a new skill set or accepting a risk of failing before you begin the task.
We all have opportunities to make choices, such as choosing to spend quality time with our loved ones, visiting with friends or relatives instead of staying at home, utilizes priority management skills.
Managing priorities is even more critical in these times when we are asked / expected to complete more tasks in less time. If you need to incorporate caring for the elderly, having a disability, the need for medical management or assisting others in need, in addition to your normal tasks, your obligations may seem overwhelming, which reinforces the importance of priority management.
EXAMPLES OF UNPLANNED PRIORITY ADJUSTMENTS:
Discovering I have no eyesight, unable to walk or speak, sit up in bed or feed myself after a critical medical condition.
ADJUSTMENTS TO ACHIEVE RESULTS:
Learned how to walk, talk and feed myself. Enrolled in and completed many blindness related skills to enable me to live and work as a completely blind person.
EXAMPLES OF PRIORITIES WHICH TAKE LONGER TO ACCOMPLISH, BUT MAY HAVE A BROADER REACH:
After learning how to use my assistive technology; I found the tools needed to perform my job had usability / accessibility barriers. Therefore, I realized I needed to reinvent myself to find a new career.
ADJUSTMENTS TO ACHIEVE RESULTS:
Took the initiative to complete courses in project management, Microsoft Office products in conjunction with screen reading software, locating and reading accessible books on a variety of computer topics and business and leadership skills to enable me to be proficient and productive in a new career
EXAMPLES OF CONSISTENT PRIORITIES:
Completing every day activities you are comfortable with for your job or personal life without the need to learn a new skill set.
ADJUSTMENTS TO ACHIEVE RESULTS:
Demonstrate discipline to put some of these “easier” tasks you know you can achieve with ease on hold, postponing a sense of accomplishment and complete some of the larger more complex goals.
I feel that time management is critical to work/ life balance, health, and well being, in addition to enhancing productivity and accuracy in your professional career.
I am grateful to accept help to continue to learn how to enhance time management. I hope these comments provide ideas to help us all grow our skill set in this critical area.
We look forward to hearing your valuable comments to help us manage our time and priorities.
Bill Tipton
Contributing Author,
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wdtipton
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