re: PRIORITIES

If you're like me, you really care about making the most of your life. Or maybe you've realized it's time get serious about refocusing on what you truly care about, finding a way to make real progress on what matters most.

One of my favorite reminders of this is the quote: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

Hearing that might have a twofold effect:  perhaps making us feel badly about how we spend our time but thankfully it can also have a positive effect- reminding us that IN THIS MOMENT RIGHT NOW we have the opportunity to choose to do the next right thing. 

I don't believe it's possible to always feel proud of each days or to always have days that check all of the boxes, and I think we're setting ourselves up for feeling shame and disappointment if we expect this of ourselves or others. HOWEVER, I do believe it's possible that over the course of a week's time, for example, that we can check the boxes of making an impact and spending our time in what matters to us the most.

It all comes down to three things:

1) Knowing our priorities (and they should be based on our values; we should have a clarity about why something matters to us.)

2) Making a plan for progress toward our targets (schedule these tasks and milestones on your calendar - with reminder notifications, if needed.)

3) Having a system for accountability to ourselves and maybe to others (it helps to have a friend, group, or coach to support and challenge you to get back and stay on track.)

It might not surprise you to hear that the most successful, satisfied, and fulfilled people know what matters most and take serious action to protect it. They know what they care about, they know what time they need to spend to get where they want to be, and they don't let other people's priorities - or shiny object syndrome- throw them off course.  

We ALL get pulled off course, but to create and live the life you want you can't let yourself STAY off course! THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE MAKER between days, weeks, years, and decades that "just happen" and a life you work intentionally for and feel proud of!

We often feel overwhelmed or pulled in a million direction, like we're just spinning our wheels and our true priorities are either out the window or even out of our minds.  When this happens to you, try this:

YOUR TAKE ACTION STRATEGY STEP:

1- Intentionally and physically separate yourself from the moment

(for 1-5 minutes: move away from your desk, go outside, sit on the floor, close the bathroom door and run the water... whatever it takes for a moment to slow down your body and your mind. Close your eyes. Breathe slow. Notice what your hands are feeling. Allow yourself to release tension right now.)

2- AFTER you have slowed yourself down and created space, ask yourself the following reflection questions.

3- RETURN to your desk, phone, conversation and do one thing that matters.

(and keep the momentum going as long as you can.)

This strategy allows us to create some control in moments that we may feel like circumstances, or even the pace of the day, are out of our control.

YOUR REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1- What am I really trying to accomplish?

2- What is most important right now?

3- What is one next right thing I can do to move forward?

I'm joining you on the journey to better investing my time on the things that matter most to me, in prioritizing the actions that will make the biggest difference, and in holding myself accountable to my plan this month. (join me on IG @YourCoachCandace)

The first of the week, month, and quarter is a great time to choose, plan, and start acting on what's next!

Wishing you a week of refocused priorities!

We're in this together,

Your Coach Candace

P.S. If you could use a little help in narrowing down your priorities, making a plan to refocus on them, or having accountability or support-  let's talk! Here's the link to my calendly for a complimentary "coffee talk" chat. I'd love to connect with you.