3 Simple Steps for Setting Realistic Priorities

Can you feel it? Yes, that’s the rush of wind of the calendar flipping ever so quickly to the end of the year.

It’s mid October now, and before you know it, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving then making preparations for the Christmas season.

This time of year seems to fly by for me. Does it for you?

Because this year will be over before I know it, I’m beginning to set my sights on preparing for 2018. I’m thinking about what I want my life to be like in the new year. And, I don’t want to wait until January 1. I want to start creating the life I want to live now.

Setting goals has been something I’ve done many times throughout my life. However, many times I’ve become sidetracked and have not been able to reach them.

Sometimes it’s because I just didn’t follow through. There were many occasions, though, that I had set the wrong goals for my life during that particular season.

I discovered that even though I had set wonderful and admirable goals, they really didn’t reflect what I wanted to do with my life. I realized that I did not take the time to figure out my priorities before I set my goals.

So, I’m taking some time now to determine my priorities during this season of my life. Once I’ve done that, I can set more realistic goals for the coming year.

Maybe you need to determine your priorities, too. Here are the steps I’m taking to decide what my true priorities are:

1. Decide what you are going to say “no” to.

Before you can determine what is a priority to you, it’s important to think of the things that are NOT important to you. Figuring this out first will help you to cull through the things that have been weighing you down or holding you back from the life God intends for you to to live.

Some things I’m saying “no” to are social media, comparing myself with others, fear, and wasting time. All of these things are just distractions from the important work God has for me as well as the joy He wants me to experience in life.

2. Decide what your are going to say “yes” to.

Once you have decided what’s not important to you, things that are important can become priorities in your life. These are things that will help fulfill your purpose, glorify God, and give you joy and peace during this season of your life.

The things I’m saying “yes” to are deepening my relationship with Christ, deeper relationships with others, confidence in Christ, healthier living, relying on God, helping women, creating an inviting and welcoming home, and setting aside time for crafting.

3. Realize your priorities will change with each season of life.

I think sometimes we get bogged down in figuring out our priorities because we think our priorities must stay the same over the course of our life. That’s just not true.

For instance, I listed above that setting aside a time for crafting is something I’m saying “yes” to. Although I have loved crafting for many years, there have been many seasons in my life where it wasn’t a priority. I could not make it a priority because I had too many other things I needed to give my attention.

Now, I have the time to set aside to pursue crafting projects. But there may be another season in my life where I’ll have to put it to the side for a while.

Think about where you are in life right now. List the responsibilities you have that need to be your priorities. And don’t forget to delete or delegate the responsibilities that you can to help ease your burden.

Once you have a firm list of priorities, then you’ll be able to set more realistic goals based off those priorities. We’ll discuss goal setting in a future post.

How do you determine your priorities?