First things first

Habit #3 of Highly Effective People #AtomicIdeas

Mar 28, 2023

Habit 3: First things first, i.e. Prioritize 👇

Prioritization is key

The third habit in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is all about prioritizing the most important things in your life and making time for them. This habit is where Habits 1 and 2 come together. It happens day in and day out, moment-by-moment.

Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.

For working professionals like you, this means recognizing which tasks are critical to your job or career success and focusing on them first.

How do I prioritize?

The challenge is not to manage time, but to manage ourselves.

Let’s go through the four quadrant of time management, followed by a simple todo.

TODOs of Prioritization

Create a schedule

To effectively prioritize your time, it's essential to create a schedule that outlines your daily, weekly, and monthly goals. As a working professional, this means setting aside specific times for important work projects, meetings, and other commitments.

Avoid distractions.

One of the biggest challenges of being a working professional is avoiding distractions. Whether it's checking your phone, social media, or engaging in non-work-related conversations, distractions can significantly impact your productivity. To be successful, it's crucial to stay focused on your priorities and avoid distractions whenever possible.

Learn to say no

As a working professional, you will likely face numerous requests for your time and attention. However, it's essential to learn to say no to things that are not a priority or that don't align with your values and goals.

By doing so, you can create space for the things that truly matter.

Review and adjust

Finally, it's important to regularly review your priorities and schedule and make adjustments as necessary. As a working professional, your priorities may shift over time, and you may need to adjust your schedule to reflect these changes. By regularly reviewing and adjusting your approach, you can stay focused on what truly matters and achieve your goals more effectively.