First Things First

As we begin this new year I've been contemplating what I really want this year to look like and the person I want to be. One of my big personal struggles is organization. I don't even know how often I've annoyed people or forgotten things or double booked or ended up with extra drama simply because I lacked organization and just messed it up. I've been wanting to get better about this for years but haven't really made any notable progress. I've tried really everything I can think of - I've made lists galore, tried out I don't even know how many planners, checked out a ton of experts on the subject but still have just stayed stuck.

One thing that I've been trying to do this year so far though is something that I learned as I was taking President Nelson's challenge from the last General Conference.  If I want to get organized I need to first learn to prioritize. I'm never going to get anywhere by taking care of the stuff that doesn't matter even if it is the proverbial squeaky wheel of the moment.

I heard a talk once that really stuck with me - I can't remember where or who it was but the idea presented was that if most of us were asked if we had an extra day to spend doing something that we would probably say we were too busy but what happens if all the sudden we're sick - now all the sudden we've spent the day on the couch and had to spend that time differently then we planned and then we find a way to work it out later.

We all have the same amount of time, it's really more about how we prioritize using it. If we don't have time for exercise or service or scriptures or cleaning or school it's because we don't really see whatever it is as the priority. Sometimes that's good - we simply can't do everything. Successful people though evaluate what's really important to them and what's going to get them there and then they put those things at a higher priority.

I know that as I've tried to do this that I've found that I actually end up having a lot more time than I thought because when I was putting off those things that I knew were important but were priorities I was still stressing about them and allowing them to bog me down. In addition, there's something psychological I think of having really accomplished something validating and worthwhile vs. playing in the fluff stuff.

It's still a work in progress though but I think that's okay. I'm learning what works for me and I'm okay with baby steps!