Definition

To prioritize is to start out with a set of things and then to figure out what is most important and rank order some or all of the items.

Examples:

1. Figure out the best book to read next from the set of all books.

2. To figure out the most important tasks to get done today from the set of all possible tasks you could do.

3. To figure out the most useful items to take on a trip from the set of all items you might want to take.

4. To figure out which items in your desk are more useful and then get rid of everything else by selling, giving away or discarding.

Relationships:

I classify prioritization as a critical thinking skill.

Rationale

Here are some reasons why this skill is worth learning how to do well.

Get clarity. Align life energy with what is most important. Do the tasks that have the most benefit and forget about all the rest. Simplify your life. Get rid of clutter. Eliminate waste and busy work. Align spending with items that provide the most value. Note: One of the most useful skills ever!

How to Prioritize

Here’s a general framework for prioritizing effectively:

1. Objectives: Understand your end goal. What are you trying to achieve? This provides context for your decisions. Write this down.

2. Items: List all items that you want to consider. The items can be tasks, goals, books, destinations, or anything can be listed.

3. Ranking: Rank order some or all of the items depending your criteria. Your criteria can and should items such as time, interest, your values, impacts, urgency, resources, risks, cost, and so forth. Also, consider dependency; for example; some tasks require that other tasks get completed first.

4. Delegate or Eliminate:

   • Recognize that not everything might need your direct attention. Can someone else handle certain tasks? Are there tasks that can be removed entirely?

5. Small Steps: If a task seems too big or overwhelming, break it down. It can make prioritization more manageable and give you a clearer path forward. See the Law of Small Steps.

6. Deadlines: As appropriate, set deadlines because they provide structure and encourage action. They can also help differentiate between items of varying urgencies.

7. Review Regularly:

• Regularly check in on your priorities and change them to reflect the current moment.

14. Use Tools and Frameworks:

• There are many prioritization tools and techniques out there like the Eisenhower Box (Urgent-Important Matrix), ABCD prioritization, the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule), and the ranking-voting method. Adopt and adapt the ones that resonate with your style and the context.

Remember, while these steps offer a comprehensive guide, the best prioritization strategy is the one that works for you.