Are you working on several goals at once?
Are you trying to achieve multiple outcomes?
Are you wondering where your hard work is going?
Are you wondering where the results are?
It is not uncommon to have multiple goals. It is, however, common to perhaps have too many goals at once. That statement may raise some eyebrows. And don’t get me wrong – goals are good. In fact goals are GREAT! But if you have too many goals you very well may be spreading your energy too thin and results are dissipating. (You should really only be working on 3-5 big goals at a time. Save the others and they will enter the picture once another goal is completed.)
I believe that “where” your priority lies is a bit of a cart before the horse question. I believe you should start with WHAT your priority is.
What should possess the most urgency? What is longing for more of your attention? What project are you working on that will advance you closer to your purpose?
For example, perhaps Suzy wants to write a book, start a video series, and learn how to use video editing software. If she dabbles in all three of these areas, she will most likely make very little progress in any of them.
In order to drive her goals forward, she needs to prioritize her goals. What does she want first? What goal will push her closer to her overall objective?
Suzy must ask herself WHAT her priority is. In this case let’s say that Suzy really, really wants to do a video series. So now she can prioritize WHERE she allots her time. She will spend more time at first learning the video editing software, then the next place for her effort will be in planning the video series and then lastly, she can spend a little bit of time on her book, if there is time left over.
Every goal does not involve equal time. That is a quick way to get nowhere fast! I find people want to give the exact same effort on everything. Priority must be established. Some goals will necessitate more dedication and work at times than others. As you complete the goals then there is more time to allot to another goal.
Since her priority is really wanting to get the video series up and running, that should get the majority of her attention. If she spreads her time equally among all the goals chances are much higher that she will begin to become disengaged from her book writing, and in turn even become to dislike that work. That is because she really wants another goal first. She can still work on her book, but her focus should be on her more desired goal. Then once that goal is completed she will be able to have more focus on the book – and will enjoy it more because her attention is not drawn elsewhere.
Here are some steps for prioritizing:
- First – GET YOUR GOALS IN WRITING!!!! You will not be able to prioritize anything if you keep everything in your head. It is too nebulous and difficult to prioritize. It is also too easy to get distracted if everything is in your head. Having it in black and write helps to focus.
- Review your purpose statement (yes – you should hopefully have one!). This is to make sure you stay on track. It is very easy to get distracted with activity that is fun, but doesn’t really move us toward our goals. These fun activities cloud our brain because when we think of them we think of having fun and we are less likely to move them down the priority list.
- Rank your goals. Which goal moves you further to aligning with your desires/purpose/passion? And yes, you must choose! You cannot say “all of them” and leave it at that! Hopefully all of your goals move you forward, but which ones are the most important at this time? Which ones require more of your attention to complete? Now you have your WHAT prioritized.
- Then look at the higher ranked goal and start breaking that down in to smaller actionable steps. If it is to learn video editing, then actions steps could be shoot footage to edit, find music to edit in to clip, watch video lessons on system, create a 5 minute clip, etc. If it is writing a book action steps could be write introduction, research publishing options, find an editor, etc.
Be flexible enough to allow your goals to shift. Perhaps Suzy meets a publisher who is really excited about her idea and her book begins to take precedence over her video series. Then she can modify her goal priorities and shift where she spends more of her time.
Nothing is set in stone, but if you do not prioritize your goals the rate of being “busy” without any real results is much higher. And time will evaporate into the ether wondering what action step to do next.
Prioritizing adds a structure to your work that delivers results. So give it a try!
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Just include this complete statement with the content: A. Lynn Jesus, CEO and Purpose Expert with Thriveology, is dedicated to helping people discover their purpose and live life on their terms. Are you ready to get started? Stop going through the motions and find your Why with her FREE guidebook The Life (and Sometimes Coma) of Why.
A. Lynn, this is excellent advice. Setting goals and prioritizing them is a a great way to monitor progress. I am a firm believer in writing down goals as it has worked well for me. I even write down daily goals in the morning and check them off as I get each done. This helps me stay organized.
Prioritizing does “add a structure to your work that delivers results.”
Thank you Robin! Writing down daily tasks is a fantastic way to stay on track!
This is an excellent article on setting goals and establishing priorities. At the end you have given permission to repost your article as long as it is complete. I have copied and pasted it into Word so I can repost it. I blog about nutrition and this can be applied to taking care of a person’s health. I will write an intro but leave your article totally as it is. Let me know if this is not ok? Thanks for the permission. My email is: pat@bestrealhealth.com
I would be honored to have you reblog this Pat! Thank you!! I am glad you enjoyed the article.
Writing everything down narrows our focus… it gives me clarity. I must say that I’ve not followed my own advice these past months and have several balls in the air… and you’re right it does make it harder to finish up. We are always learning the lesson, right? 🙂
Let’s hope we are always learning, Norma! 🙂 But the clarity you get from seeing things in black and white is priceless. It will help continue moving forward and get to the finish line of projects.
It’s all too easy to get Goal overwhelm (yep, been there!) I agree that writing down out goals and having a realistic yet flexible plan to achieve them is key.
Once you can see it, then it seems more ‘real’. Then you will know where you need to modify and be able to see progress.
Don’t just think it, ink it…
Love it Pete!! 🙂 And so true! Get it in writing so you can see it!
This is an important topic, especially for business owners. If you don’t prioritize your goals and build a strategy around them, nothing will ever get fully completed. Nice post!
Thank you Dawn! Here’s to reaching completion of goals!! 🙂
Lately with the lack of business on Etsy, I’ve been a bit discouraged. I need to get back on track with my business plan and stay the course. Thanks for the great post!
You are welcome Diana! And a piece of this is to remain flexible. You’ll get back on track!
Pioritizing is easy once you are clear on your strategy. Took me a whil to learn this and now I’m on the right track.
That is great Roz! The flexibility can also help to allow for modification as strategy becomes clearer.
By giving too many things the same importance, it’s difficult to see much progress anywhere. Sort of like “herding cats.” But by prioritizing, you can decide how much energy to put where … and shift that energy over time to where it makes the greatest impact.
Great strategy Sharon! Herding cats keeps one more busy than one progressing.
Writing all the steps is so important. Everything will get clear this way.
I agree Carele. Once it is in black and white it is easier to gain clarity – you can actually ‘see’ something when it is in writing.
Excellent post! I am always working on several projects. I must however prioritize otherwise it can get overwhelming. Thanks for sharing these awesome tips!
You are so welcome Alexandra! Prioritizing will help curb overwhelm! Working on several projects is not a bad thing – but managing them can be a bear! So prioritization will help! 🙂
Setting goals is so important, but trying to not get overwhelmed with too many is key 🙂 Awesome post A Lynn!!! Awesome value! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Joan! Overwhelm can be disastrous! So managing and progress is so important!
You are so on target with this article. I think it applies to everyone I know. We get so bogged down with the day to day, that we forget to prioritize. I am taking this to heart. Making the list!!!
We also can’t forget to include our dreams and aspirations. Sometimes we are so much about business, that we lose ourselves a little.
Thank you, Ana Maria! Absolutely – you can ensure inclusion of your dreams by making consistent progress on your goals because achieving goals should move you closer to your dreams!
From top to bottom, priorities should have a relevance. I think many people miss the boat on this one and find a way not to understand the concept. I always put the pen to the paper, because when that happens, something special always happens! Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome Nate. And I agree – making sure your work carries relevance will bring progress! If it doesn’t have relevance then people tend to be wasting their time!
Goodness gracious! I am always working on several goals! I have so much going on
That is awesome – as long as your work is prioritized. 😉
That’s exactly how I feel. Between business, husband, kids, parents and home, I feel like I’m constantly juggling!
You have a great point. The rest of life doesn’t stop because we are working on goals. It is definitely a juggling act!
I definitely agree with you and priorities need to be ranked from most important to least important. You should certainly figure out your main goal and then outline steps needed to achieve that. Great information! Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome. And often the other goals turn out to be stepping stones to the higher priority goals – so you can get more done!
Great advice. Prioritizing your goals is also a great way to keep track of your progress. You are able to see what you have accomplished along your journey and can then implement steps to furthering your success. Having your goals written down and in front of you every day is a constant reminder of your “Why”. We get so caught up in our busy lives we forget why we are doing the things we do every day. Then we find ourselves off track and disappointed. Prioritizing goals helps keep you focused on what you are trying to achieve.
Absolutely agree, Meryl! You are right on target. This is a process to success and progress. If you try to short circuit the process you will get off track.