Choosing Priorities

Life is filled with choices. Here’s a list of the upcoming January events recently shared by Sallie Alefson.  There’s so many to celebrate!  Is there a way to choose which holidays to celebrate?  How will I prioritize?

January is:

•         Financial Wellness Month
•         Get A Balanced Life Month
•          Get Organized  Month
•         International Creativity Month
•         International Quality of Life Month
•         National Clean Up Your Computer Month

Special weeks include:

•         8 – 14: Home Office Safety and Security Week
•         22 – 29: Clean Out Your Inbox Week
•         27 – 31: Tax Identity Theft Week

Noteworthy days:

•         3: Festival of Sleep Day
•         6: National Technology Day
•         8: National English Toffee Day
•         9: National Clean Off Your Desk Day
•         10: National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
•         14: Organize Your Home Day
•         20: National Cheese Lovers Day
•         24: Belly Laugh Day
•         25: Macintosh Computer Day (marks the day it went on sale to the public in 1984)
•         27: Fun at Work Day
•         28: Data Privacy Day
•         30: Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

While each and every one of these events has merit, how do we choose which to celebrate?

I could rely on personal or business connections to an event. I focus on organizing and productivity, so I could choose the events related to my work.  Or I could choose which I think is most fun. There are lots of celebrations with laughter and joy.  Another option is to rely on my priorities for the 2017.  Each year I have a word of the year. Last year was Accept, 2015 was 15, 2014 was Thrive.  My word for the year could help me prioritize.

Whatever your way of prioritizing, we know there will always be more choices than we can imagine.  I can’t celebrate each holiday, but I can prioritize the 3 that best fit my priorities this year.

How do I stay true to those priorities?

First, you may be overwhelmed and instantly think all are equally important. Give yourself a moment to process either with others, by writing, by speaking or just thinking.  Each of us has a strength to rely on to make this decision. There are also tools we can use.  Use a tournament method to whittle down the possibilities, weighing just one option against just one other option.  Give each option a number value of 1,2, or 3.   Decide the return on investment with finances.  All of these strategies have value.

Make your priorities stick by creating a reminder resource. That’s a way to keep your priorities  upper most.  A reminder resource can be tucked away on Notes or Evernote in your smartphone, a vision board in your closet, or choosing your word for the year. It’s not easy staying on target with your priorities and reminders help.

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