Forms are at the end.
Years back I taught Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” And even though I knew the system well, I find I need to return regularly to his priority-setting evaluation method.
Fact is, most people who learned this theory found it great stuff to learn yet few ever really sat down and applied the exercise.
Today, I’d like to persuade you to open up some space, take however long is needed, and apply this exercise. You will find the process rewarding and enlightening. If you’ve previously completed this exercise, but haven’t in awhile, now is a good time to complete again.
If previous attempts to complete this exercise were unsuccessful, then there is a good chance your inner critic swept it under the carpet with the message “too trivial.” This message covers a common fear. As you continue through this process you will learn the answer to your fear.
Enough analyzing for now. First, I’m going to discuss the exercise. This could be a review for you. Next, it’s your turn to apply the exercise to your life, projects, or business now. Whether you begin with your personal priorities, career or business priorities, it doesn’t matter. If you are learning this exercise for the first time, allow me to suggest to practice with your personal priorities first. And since I know how important this is, and how difficult this could be, I’m also attaching a few forms to help you complete the process.
Imprint Onto Your Brain
First, draw a square and divide it into equal quadrants. Outside the box draw a vertical axis labeled “Importance” and a horizontal axis labeled “Urgency.” Yes, you’ve seen this before.
Here’s a visual of what you will be drawing. It’s important to complete this in your own hand. This imprints your brain and is a visual learning process. Just thinking about it will not imprint memory. Drawing, especially with colored markers, will.
If your brain’s message chimes in with “this is too easy” or something similar, ask it to step aside and do it anyway.
This next step is one I created that has helped hundreds of others improve the visual imprinting process…
Step 1: Place a number inside a circle in each box. For instance, the top right, the “More important. More urgent.” box would have a “1” with a circle around it.
The “2” with a circle would be the top left. The “3” with a circle for the bottom right. And the “4” with a a circle for the bottom left or “Less important. Less urgent.” box.
After using this circle method several times, your mind will begin seeing the circled number when reviewing a task list not created in this process. (See #1 below on how to apply this.)
Applying To Your Priorities
Now it’s time to find out if you have been prioritizing well or you need to correct your process. And you can do this several ways. Here are the choices:
1. Print your current computerized task list. On the printout, one task at a time, place the appropriate circled number next to the task.
2. There are two attachments. One is a PDF file and the other a MS Word file. If you prefer to work on this exercise in writing, print out the PDF file. If you prefer to type the list, use the MS Word file.
Whichever form you use, continue by placing each task in the box you think it needs to be in. If your inner critic is chatting away during this process, take a deep breath in between each one to allow it to pass. Your inner critic has been getting away with convincing you, you didn’t need to do this for so long, it wants to continue having its way. Take this slow, easy, and love through the chatter.
Here’s where the new awareness may come in…
What If
If everything or the majority of your priorities fall into the top right-hand quadrant, it’s time to get more realistic with what type of priorities you have. To solve, divide the “More important. More urgent.” category into four quarters and re-plot. If you’re using the written method, you may want to start with a clean diagram. If you’re using the Word method, cut and paste and move them to the “get real” box.
If your priority management isn’t great, you will want to complete as many as five or six processes. Each session will overwrite beliefs and memory just a little more. Be gentle with yourself during this process. You’re reprogramming your brain. This always takes longer than expected. This is why implementation didn’t fully complete in the past.
If you find you are completing items in “3” box (lower left, “Less important. Less urgent.”) more often, this means you are more concerned with checking-off items as completed rather than focusing on the truly important activities that will progress you forward. You think you are accomplishing a lot; however, the outcome isn’t working in your favor.
Pay attention to where you’re paying attention.
Clarity in life determines your outcome. And gaining clarity in life is what “Out of the Blog, Into the Light” is all about.
PDF priorities form Click to open
MS Word Form Need Word to Open
(c) Copyright 2009, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.
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