RESOURCES

Pri·or·i·ty (\prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē) n. Something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first.

Several years back, in a busy week, one of my top priorities was to write a blog post about priorities. Priorities were on my mind because they’re always on our clients’ minds. A common denominator among our high-achieving clients and colleagues is the challenge of prioritizing while also very aggressively trying to do it all. 

Well, as the saying goes, “we plan, and God laughs.” A week passed, and I hadn’t completed the “top priority” article on priorities. Ironic, no? This very common situation raises the question: was writing the article actually a “priority” that last week? Or was it simply a great idea I wanted to pursue when time permitted? I suspect that had I stepped back to consider what needed to be accomplished that week, the article would not have made the cut… Unfortunately, it’s possible to have too many “priorities.”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a “priority” as something important that must be dealt with first. That’s right: first. Simple math dictates that only one thing at a time can be considered first. Therefore, if you have too many priorities, they are no longer truly “priorities.” 

We have 5 months left to achieve our 2025 goals. I encourage you to pause, step back, and look at what is on your and your team’s to-do lists. Are they real priorities? Cull back or reschedule anything that is not critical, so you can focus on things that will drive the desired results through year-end. Not sure where to start? Check your calendar – where you spend your time reveals your priorities. (Same goes for where you spend your budget, but that’s a topic for another day.)

Warmly,

Precious Williams Owodunni | CEO & Founder of Mountaintop Consulting

This letter was originally published in Mountaintop Consulting’s monthly newsletter. You can read the full newsletter here.