How we prioritize things in our life is determined by a number of factors. It’s not just about something having a high or low priority, It’s not just about how urgent or how much time something requires. Yet we don’t just randomly decide to do one task over another. There is a logic to it based on those elements you deem most important. However, as we grow older and our situations change (we become richer, older, healthier, etc.) so too do our priorities. Consider how the following effects your life and the choices you make.
- Family/relationships
A single person with no responsibility to any partner or kids naturally has different priorities to a father who puts his wife and children and their safety first. And then of course, if you live close to most of your immediate family, you’ll have a different attitude than somebody who lives thousands of miles apart from any of your relatives. - Money
If you don’t have much money or you are burdened with lots of debts, finding ways of plugging that financial hole will be a high priority in your life and influence what you spend your money and on what activities you indulge in. However, if you are wealthy, how you’re going to pay the electricity bill or find your next meal suddenly become irrelevant. A person with little money has to think carefully before choosing to go out for a meal, where somebody who makes big bucks may eat out all the time. - Job/career
A basic 9-to-5 job where you’re cranking widgets versus an high pressure career where you manage entire departments puts very different pressures and priorities on your life. Things that help and improve your career, such as training and personal growth can be deemed important to some, while others may be happy to just get their wage at the end of the month. - Age
As time goes by and we grow older our priorities shift. What an eighteen year old wants, with the prospect of this weekend’s party in his head, his focus on the short-term and everything rushing past him, is often vastly different to the wants of a sixty year old who is planning for retirement and securing his children’s futures. - Health
Healthy living is becoming an increasingly important priority to many people. Someone in good physical health who eats well and exercises is likely to have vastly different priorities to someone who has been told by his doctor he needs to stop smoking and lose weight. - Happiness
Happiness is often the one element that influences all others. We all want to be happy, but what makes us happy? For example, a seventy year old grandparent will likely get her happiness from looking after her children and grandchildren, rather than on how much money she has in the bank. However, somebody who is career minded will likely feel very happy whenever he gets a pay rise or promotion.
July 2, 2007 at 02:24PM
David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done, changed my life. I love your site. Will be back!