Set Priorities to Take Back Your Life Ep. 6

Listen to this episode to find out how you can reduce overwhelm by learning to set priorities based on your values, purpose, vision and goals.

Show notes: 

Episode Summary:

Have you ever found yourself with so much to do that you are so overwhelmed you don’t even know where to begin? Do you often feel that you’re stretched too thin? In today’s episode we’re going to talk about how to set priorities.  Asking yourself a few questions each day can lead to the clarity to help you set priorities and take control of your life.

In this episode: 

 1. When you set priorities,  you need to align your actions with your values and purpose.

• Start with why.
• Live by design, not by default.

Ask your self questions:

• What is most important to you?
• What matters most right now?
• Who needs me on my A game?
• What is best for ME?
• If everything is a priority, nothing is.

2. Action steps you can take when finding your why or to answer some of those questions:

• Search for a quote that inspires you and reminds you of what is most important in your life. Keep it near you.
• Plan your ideal day, your ideal week, your ideal life. What do you really want?
• Learn to filter your decisions through the lens of who you want to be and what you value. Knowing your why provides a clear filter for decision making.
• Protect the basics.
• Eliminate the non -essentials.

‌3.  Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Quote

“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done.”

Greg McKeown, Essentialism

Nature abhors a vacuum.

• If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.
• The good get asked to do more.
• Consider what you will need to trade to take on another project.
• Don’t make committments you can’t or don’t want to keep.
• Learn to say no with grace.
• If it isn’t a heck yes, its a heck no.
• Know when it is not your problem- helpers naturally want to solve problems, but sometimes, it is not your problem to solve. Don’t rob people of their problems.
• Having boundaries will give you freedom.
• Know your deal-breakers.

‌4.  Essentialism tips

• Less but more is better.
• The Pareto principle (aka the 80/20 rule) says that 80% of effects come from 20% of effort.
• Look ahead, plan ahead.
• Add 50 % to your time estimates and create a margin for calmness.
• Remove obstacles- ask yourself, what could prevent me from going forward smoothly?
• You can multitask, but you can’t multi-focus.
• You can’t do essential work without rest, sleep, and play.
• It is not humanly possible to be everything to everyone. You are not going to be the first person to ever do that so don’t even try.
• Beware of casual commitments.

‌Recap:

Many teachers live in a constant state of overwhelm, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you start with a vision and purpose, you can learn to recognize and choose the essential things, so that you can do the things that matter most.

Quote:

“Once you give yourself persmission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, you can make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.”

Greg McKeown, Essentialism

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Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Essentialism, by Greg Mckeown

The Inspired Teacher’s Guide to Taking Back Your Life

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