Priorities... where do I start?

This is a great topic – in fact, I really would like some input on this. I’ve read a couple of leadership books, but I haven’t found much on how to prioritize. Naturally, as a leader we are supposed to make decisions made in the best interest of the group or the team. Is prioritizing tasks the same deal?

When working in corporate settings, usually the manager helps us prioritize projects based on decisions made by “upper management” and/or the board directors, etc. But when you are completely on your own, or asked to make those types of decisions– how do you know what to do first?


Does anyone else dislike the feeling of being overwhelmed with things to do – but you don’t know where to start? In my limited experience, I find it reasonable that whichever project yields the most potential for company sales or savings (in terms of dollars per year) is the one I would put most effort into. The famous “low-hanging fruit” projects are great too since they require little effort to deliver results. However, that was not always the case. I have worked on projects that were not destined to make money, or save (much) at all. There are those that save the good faith of the company – it rejuvenates it “intangible assets” – to ensure continued business and growth in other parts of the business with customers.

In my opinion, how to prioritize is by no means a “formula” to be made and followed. It will be completely conjectural to the situation and requires a lot of common sense. Granted, there are such things as “risk management” and “decision trees” and “crisis management” – all of which are important in business decisions/prioritizing but I’m not going to discuss those here (maybe a future blog entry). To keep things simple, most of us already know the phrase: “the squeaky wheel gets oiled” and “fighting fires” in the office. In our personal lives, we prioritize based on the needs of the house as a whole. One thing at a time, as so long as you can live safely and comfortably. More than likely, following the “Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs).

Even in mundane tasks, there has to be a “priority”. Although this is a bad example, but you really can’t put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher unless you’ve placed all the clean ones (that are in the dishwasher) back where they belong. Thus, making room in the dishwasher in the process. Maybe that is oversimplifying the concept. When it comes to decisions of prioritizing with your money, where you want to spend your time and with whom, will depend on which will give us the most expected return and makes you feel fulfilled (not just in physical wealth, but personal and spiritual wealth).

Much will depend our commitments. My first and foremost commitment is to my family: God, my Wife, and our future children. They will always come first. Although I have a commitment to work “9 to 5” like most of us, it is for the wellbeing of my family. If something should arise where I am needed by my family, work can wait. Similarly, if there is a task that is “priority 1” all others should be able to wait. When focused on trying to accomplish that task, there will always be the chance of getting distracted or sidetracked by someone else’s “priority 1”. No need to be rude or show disinterest, but a brief explanation may be helpful, and then move on.

Many people shift their priorities because they may feel guilty or worried about what others may think if they don’t jump at that other “priority 1”. I used to be that way. It never allowed me to grow as a person and find my true self. I was always worried of “what they will think of me if I made the wrong choice”?. I used to miss the big picture often. I would focus on a little thing because I wanted it to be “perfect” but didn’t think enough of the other team members or the final goal to better place my energy. Sometimes, it was because that little thing would make me look good or make me feel important. My agenda got in the way.

That’s my perspective… what about yours?