Pressing vs. Important. Most of us blur the line between these two. What is a priority anyway?! We are so busy and distracted all day long with pressing stuff that what we call a priority becomes less important and the pressing takes over.
Example:
- You have a super important last minute meeting that just came up and you must prepare for it.
- You must get your kids packed and ready for their field trip tomorrow.
- If you don’t pay your water bill today, it will get turned off!
- Your friend needs a ride to the airport because no one else can take her.
In fact, as you take a moment to look at the things you have mentally noted as a priority, like:
- Spending more time with your parents, who are getting older.
- Going to the gym more.
- Getting enough quality time with your spouse.
- Taking care of your health.
… You realize that those things have slipped. It wasn’t intentional. It’s just that, life sort of happened and the pressing items that we call a priority took over.
“I’m trying!” You often cry out loud. But, still… You’re feeling like all of the “priorities” you consistently promise to make more time for, just ain’t happening.
What’s the solution? The obvious solution is to check off all of those pressing items on the list so that you can be closer to those priorities. But, sometimes the pressure of everyday life and the surprises that happen, keep you way from living the life you want to live.
I find that a check-in with myself is a good reminder as to what’s really important.
So I ask myself…
- What are things in life that are truly important to you?
- What makes you proud?
- What do you do every single day that contributes to your priorities and what do you do that are not?
- What can you delegate?
- What’s clutter in your life right now and how is it blurring the line between what’s pressing and what’s important to you?
It doesn’t take that long to answer just a few questions and in the end you 
have a bit more perspective on whether you are actually living life theway you want it. Seeing it clearly, allows you to make the change.
Are these other things really so urgent that you have to put the important stuff on hold? If something happened to your parents, your kids, your spouse … would you have regrets?
Take a look at your answers and schedule more of the important back into your life.
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