John Maxwell in “The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership” talks about the law of priorities.  Priorities are easy to talk about.  But, very often there is a disconnect between our priorities and what we do.

Whether you are a self-employed business owner, entrepreneur, solo professional, corporate manager or executive we naturally believe that when we are busy we are achieving.

Priorities Turn Your Activity Into Achievement

But, being busy does not equal productivity.  And activity is not necessarily accomplishment.  In fact, it is easy to fake ourselves out and to confuse activity with achievement.

Priorities Enable You To Think Ahead

That’s where priorities come in.  When you have priorities, especially as a leader it forces you to think ahead.  It forces you to know what’s important, to know what’s next, to see how everything relates to the overall vision.

Priorities-How To Define Them

Maxwell has three points in defining priorities.

• First—You must know what is required.  What must you do that nobody can or should do for you.
• Second_-What gives you the greatest return?  Maxwell encourages you to work in your areas of greatest strength.  If there is something you’re doing that can be done 80 percent as well by someone else?  If so, delegate it.
• Third—What brings the greatest reward?  In my personal business coaching practice I find that this is very often missed.  The self-employed business owner or corporate executive looks at the bottom line.  Yet, there are two bottom lines.  There is the business and the personal.  You have to take care of both.  Life is too short not to do some things you love.  What energizes you and keeps you passionate?

Give your time only to things that pass the requirement, return and reward test.  Know these answers and you will know your priorities and start having a business and life that focuses on what is important instead of what is urgent.