DETERMINING PRIORITIES

It is not how hard you work; it is how smart you work.

William James, turn of the century professor of philosophy, psychology, and anatomy at Harvard University, said,

"the greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."

Decision-making is an inescapable task in life and can never be avoided. It has been said that if you do not make decisions then decisions will make you.

Make quality decisions that will produce positive results, then these guidelines will help:

  1. Prepare your self.
  2. Have a systematic approach.
  3. Focus on the important decisions.
  4. Watch out for the tyranny of the tyrant.
  5. Avoid stress made decisions.
  6. Do not become a victim of analysis paralysis.
  7. Base decisions on facts - inner conviction.
  8. ­Do not be afraid of making wrong decisions.
  9. Learn from your mistakes.
  10. Be creative in making decisions.
  11. Make the decision and move on from it.

 

Make a list of priorities of your value in life and from that point forward prioritise your needs and desires.

Here are some guidelines of a balanced value system.

  1. Integrity.

Practice truthfulness even when it hurts. The cornerstone of integrity is honesty, and to develop in integrity you must never lie. Build levels of trust. The greatest reward in life is to have people trust in you.

  1. God.

 Prioritise with your Creator, then you will build for eternity.

  1. Family.

Every person was born into family - this is a foundational priority. God called each person into a family and placed them there to stand as a unit to increase in all areas of life.

  1. Company.

Every business demands profit, and return - financial growth - personnel development - increase of market share. Your performance here will determine much of how you view yourself and how others view you.  The bible says that we are to be followers of Jesus – He was an example in the market place and in the eyes of God.

  1. People.

UMUNTU UNGUMUNTU NGABANTU - A PERSON IS A PERSON BECAUSE OF OTHER PEOPLE. If you want to achieve what you want to achieve, help other people to achieve what they want to achieve. Co-operation is spelt "WE"

  1. T.E.A.M. - together everyone achieves more.

Everything you are today is because of others who have helped you.

You are co-dependant on others.

§         Learn to lead by example.

§         Learn to serve, instead of take.

§         Learn to encourage, instead of breakdown.

Remember your greatest asset in life is the people who are on your side.

  1. Country.

Build a heritage for your children.

Build an inheritance for your children.

Become community minded and relevant in all you do.

If God goes public with an individual, the people in their immediate world might notice, if the person decides to become part of the crowd with which God goes public, a city might notice.

  1. Free enterprise.

Create a platform for development.

Explore inner creativity and other avenues to generate wealth.

Build into the dreams and visions of others.

  1.  Life style.

Live as though today was the last day you had to live and plan for your future wisely.

Enjoy each moment in time - time will never come back.

Purpose to help others accomplish their priorities.

  1.  Character.

Develop integrity.

Develop a positive image.

Build a WE mentality instead of a ME mentality.

  1. Financial independence.

Be debt free.

Give liberally.

Invest into your future and the future of others.

 

How to prioritise your priorities:

It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities. (Josiah Stamp)

Four simple ways to categorize priorities are:

1          Urgent              -           Important

2          Urgent               -           Not Important

3          Not urgent         -           Important

4          Not Urgent         -           Not Important

In all areas of life the same principles can be applied by determining priorities.

Write them down and work them through.

Prioritise according to matters of most importance, being Urgent  - Important .

NEEDS  versus WANTS

This really depends according to a persons socio economic standing.

Though there are principals that are all the same.

Below is an example of an order of priorities.

  1. Your relationship with God.
  2. Your relationship with your partner.
  3. Your relationship with your children
  4. Your relationship with your vocation.
  5. Your relationship with your social activities.
  6. Your relationship with your ministry or the work that you do for God.
  7. Your relationship with your church.
  8. Your relationship with your community.
  9. Your relationship as a patriot to your country.