When we say something or someone is important, but it isn’t matched with proportional time, the message is clear. When we say something is NOT IMPORTANT, but it’s getting a lot of our time, the message is also clear. We show the world every day what is truly important to us by what activities we choose to do.
We can re-direct the course of our life at any point by re-focusing on our most important life activities based what we value most. When we do this, stress, anxiety and overwhelm will naturally decrease.
Mark Woods, Trapper Woods Intl.
In a recent post, Mark Woods encouraged his readers to attack their 2012 goals and reassess their priorities.
We tend to agree. There is often a real disparity between what we say is important and how our actions reflect our true priorities. It can be difficult to maintain those priorities with the pressures of work, study and the demands of living in an increasingly fast paced society. But hope is not lost. By implementing a couple of simple changes, you can make sure your actions realign with your intentions.
Here’s how,
1. Gratitude
Find some time each day to think about the things in life you are grateful for. Do it in the shower, on the way to work or while you’re eating lunch. More than likely the things you are grateful for are not where you’re focusing most of your attention. Shift your focus accordingly and reap the benefits.
2. Schedule
Work appointments, errands and financial commitments often find themselves firmly fixed in your calendar, but how about taking time out for family and friends? If maintaining those relationships is a real priority for you, make sure you put it in the calendar and really commit to it - no matter what. Even if it’s just a regular reminder to touch base with a friend via email or Facebook it all helps us to stay connected.
3. Get creative
While it might not be possible to devote the amount of attention you would like to certain relationships, especially if the kids demand so much of your dedicated family time, but just be a little creative. If romantic dinners are not practical for you, how about a mid-week lunch by in the park or a Saturday breakfast while the kids are at sports?
4. Implement change
Most importantly, if there are things in life that aren’t helping you meet your priorities, change them. This video from the team at Holstee sums it up beautifully.
So ask yourself, ‘where does my time flow?’ And ‘what is really important to me?’ You might just be surprised.
Tell us how you keep your priorities on track and how you maintain your focus on what’s really important to you.
