You cannot do your first things unless you know your first things. Let’s discuss first things.
First Things First
You’re probably familiar with Covey’s Habit 3: First Things First. It’s an encouragement to identify your priorities. Then, you must act on those priorities.
One simple way we act on our priorities is by scheduling them during our most productive time of the day.
Conversely, don’t allow yourself to become sidetracked by daily emergencies. In so doing, we neglect our priorities.
We must let go of some things to free up time for what really matters.
Know Your First Things
Ok, first things are important. But, how do we identify those first things?
Our first things — our life priorities — should be driven by our life purpose.
When we’re clear about our WHY then it becomes much easier to establish priorities.
Do Your First Things
Next we ask: “What must be done to accomplish our life’s purpose?”
That doing breaks out into a series of annual and multi-year goals. In turn, accomplishment of each goal becomes a priority for us.
As such, we make first things first — each day, week, and month. Those small, daily increments release the power of multiplication into our lives!
The Precept
Wisdom speaks to us in Proverbs Chapter 8. In Proverbs 8.17 she says: “…those that seek me early shall find me.”
But, “early” when? I suspect early in life. Therefore, build a growth mindset very early in your professional career.
Also, seek wisdom early each day. We make our professional, personal, and spiritual growth something that happens first each day.
Certainly, knowing wisdom should be one of our first things!
Our desire for growth is life giving because it directly impacts our ability to function as a leader, a spouse, a parent, and a friend! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Apply This Today!
You’ve hear “schedule your priorities.” Our priorities get on our calendar by intention and foresight. Don’t forget to ask yourself: “Why am I doing this?”
Set time each week to review and plan activities so that your first things happen first!
Block scheduling is an effective way to side-step distractions. Create time blocks on your calendar for essential activities then protect those times.
Finally – about the photo in this post. Family is most certainly a first thing. The photo is from years ago — a hike with some of the grand kids. The photo was taken just before we got caught in a hard rain!