Mind your Mind - 6

Priorities serve as a guiding star to keep you on course. Every action that you take and every decision that you make will put you one step closer or one step farther away from your goals. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind: Make the time to set your priorities — it won’t happen by itself. Keep the process simple. Select priorities based on sound reason rather than a complicated formula. Think beyond today. Ensure that your priorities withstand the test of time. Although priorities should be written in ink rather than erasable pencil, remember that they can be changed at any time. Make the hard choices. Determine what matters most to you. If everything’s a priority, then nothing’s a priority. Invest your resources wisely. Resources are finite. When you overcommit your time or spread your resources too thin, you fail to dedicate the attention that your priorities deserve. Maintain your focus. Accept the fact that you can’t do everything well. Trying to be all things to all people leads to mediocrity. Get ready to sacrifice. Choices have consequences. Saying “no” to one thing allows you to say “yes” to another. Maintain balance. Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance. While this may sound simple, it’s not easy. Make joint decisions. Discuss your goals with your loved ones. If priorities are aligned, you won’t work at cross-purposes. Learn to say “no.” Remember that subtracting from your list of priorities is as important as adding to it. Get a reality check. Give yourself a periodic check-up to ensure that you’re on course.