Your Priorities in Life
List of Priorities
Make a list of everything that is most important to you in life. This might include, for example:
- particular relationships such as partner, family or friends
- having stimulating or rewarding work
- being well respected
- making the most of your creative talents
- living in a home where you feel comfortable
- being in good health
- physical fitness
- partaking in sports
- spiritual wellbeing
- being a respected member of a particular group or community
- independence
- having time to relax
- taking on challenges
Now do your best to order these in order of importance with the most important first. If you have a lot of things on your list you may if you wish decide to limit the list to say the top five or top ten priorities for you.
Once you have got your list in order of importance, spend a few minutes reflecting on how the current way that you spend your time matches (or doesn’t match as the case may be) the order of your priorities. In the light of your reflection on your priorities are you happy with how you are now living or is there anything you would like to adjust in your typical daily or weekly schedule to allow you to focus more time and energy on your priorities? If there is, then make a commitment – even if only a small one – as to how you will adjust your use of time in the desired way.
Making Decisions
If you have decisions to make and are not sure what option to choose, you can use the list you have created as a benchmark to help you decide what you want to do. This does not mean that in every situation you will choose an option that reflects the number 1 priority on your list, merely that in making your choices you will at least be aware of the different competing priorities that may inform the choices you make and you can make a decision based on how you would like to balance the priorities or follow one rather than another.
This exercise is featured in the ebook 50 Life Coaching Exercises - For further information and other life coaching resources click on the link below:
Life Coaching Resources Pack