Do you have your priorities straight? Because I definitely don’t. How does an adult know how to priorities? There are the smaller more manageable ones, like basic maintenance of yourself to survive. But then there is the bigger stuff, that won’t be seen until years down the line, like a house. Regardless of how big or small the goal is, there are small tasks which need to be organised in order to achieve them. So how do you prioritise as an adult?
P.s. These are all suggestions based on my experience, so if you don’t like my suggestions, that’s ok.
Prioritise by Automation
This isn’t available for everything, but where it can be applied it is a life saver. This is where you set up a system, that automatically handles the little task for a long-term priority. Then when that priority gets closer to you achieving it, then most of the work has been done in the background
Prioritise Finances
You can set up automatic transfers to the account. The aim is not to send a percentage of your salary, but to send any amount. Because the thing about savings accounts (even with low interest), they compound. And that amount that is saved in the long term, is better than not having the money at all.
For me, I want to buy house in the future, and I want a nice one too. This normally means more money. I have been saving money for my deposit since Dec 2021, and even though I have been slow, I am grateful I started earlier. As now, when the priority to buy a house is in the forefront of my vision, the savings goal is a lot closer, than if |I had not saved anything.
Prioritise Health
Getting check-ups and keeping up with routine appointments, can help with staying healthy in the long term. Health should a priority that stays with us way into retirement. Since we are living longer, we would like to stay mobile and independent as much as possible.
For me, I have a built a routine that is now completely habit to keep me interested in exercise. Whether I go on walks or do an indoor workout, I have made it automatic for me to care about my health. I also now, put a calendar reminder for health check-ups. When was the last time you got your eyes checked? That’s meant to be every 2 years. Teeth? Every 12 months. It takes things off my plate to remember, and I am reminded by my phone at the right time. The calendar app is so helpful.
Importance ranking
Another way to prioritise is to focus on the ones that are important. This could be because of a deadline, like finishing off a job application. Or because it removes that irritating thing on your to do list, like re-potting those plants because they are not ok. 👀
Short term upgrades
Since they are short term, you need to prioritise them on importance, as if you delay them to become long term, it will be a missed opportunity. And these are mini upgrades to your life that help carry you through the longer-term priorities.
In the year 2023, I had the goal to get comfortable doing interviews and applying for jobs. I really didn’t want to stay in my current job, so I knew I needed to practise job interviews, if I wanted to nail my favourite jobs. These al had deadlines. On top of making sure I stay healthy and clean, I had to give myself time to complete applications, video interviews and assessments. I obviously prioritised applications on deadlines. Then prioritised interview prep based on the jobs I was most excited about. Even with that, I did not leave my job, but I used the skills form those interviews to upgrade my job role experience for 2024.
Take the latest obsession
This is my handy way for most priorities. This is not one that is recommended by Google, but I can tell you how it works for me. Every once in a while, things get lined up in my head and I go on a trajectory to get what I want. This has been from ending my credit card debt to saving my house deposit, and if you have been following, both of which have not been completed.
Aside from the basic necessities to survive, this method is a way to just accept the time you lock in on something. It might not be as ‘serious’, but if it’s important and thus a priority to you, then lock in!
For me, it’s a blog post. One time, I was struggling to come up with a post for the week. One afternoon, I was at eye appointment and the idea popped up in my head. You bet I produced a blog post whilst sat in the waiting room for the appointment. Halfway through they gave me eye drops to prepare for a scan, which made my vision blurry for hours! I still wrote that post on my phone, because it was my priority. Also, sitting in a waiting room with other people (without headphones) I needed something to do, and I am glad that idea came to my head. (It was the last post btw)
Summary
A lot of people will tell you which way works for them, but honestly, do what works for you. I heard somewhere that ‘We are all experiencing this life for the first time, so we are all figuring it out’. And that’s it! Trial and error. It might seem like some people figured it out, but all you have to do is try something out. If it doesn’t work, change it, it’s no big deal. My obsession works for blog posts, but it can’t work for brushing my teeth.
TL;DR
- Prioritising is personal: Do some trial and error and find what works for you
- Automating things, means you rely on systems to get things done with minimal input from yourself (like setting up cash movements tot your savings accounts)
- Rank by importance: A nice little to do list and then ranking them is a good way too
- Locking in: Take advantage of that obsession on something and roll with it. The chaotic much more fun approach
