Setting Priorities
by Ngozi Osuagwu, MD | January 5th, 2020
Happy New Year!
I love the beginning of a New Year because it allows me to set my priorities. By deciding on what is important to me, I have a roadmap for the year.
As mentioned last year, there are eight dimensions in life to consider:
WORK – Where are you in your career? Are you happy? Is it time to get a promotion? Do you want a raise? Have you been at home and considering entering the workforce?
MONEY – Are you living within your means? Have you paid off your credit card bills? Have you started the college saving account for your children? Do you have a retirement savings account?
LIVING ENVIRONMENT – Is it time to get rid of clutter? Do you want to buy a house? Are you ready to down-size, up-size or right-size? Do you have to refinance a high interest mortgage?
PERSONAL GROWTH – Do you want to learn something new – a new language, a musical instrument? Do you want to go back to school? Do you want to earn a new skill? Do you want to expand on your hidden talents?
HEALTH AND WELLNESS – Do you have an exercise routine? Do you want to meditate? Do you want to start cooking more? Do you want to incorporate more fruits and vegetables to you diet? Do you want to start meatless Monday? Do you want to pack your lunch to work? Have you kept up with your health care visits? Is your blood pressure normal?
COMMUNITY – Are there volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood? Is there a club in your community that you want to join? Do you want to run for the school board? Have you reached out to your neighbors lately?
FAMILY – Do you need to spend more time with your children? Do you read to your children every night? Is there a relative you have not spoken to in a while? When was the last family event you attended? When was the last time you hosted an event?
SPIRITUALITY – How do you engage with God? Do you want to know more about God? Do you need to go to church, the mosque or synagogue more often? How much do you know about other faiths? Do you need to read the Bible, Koran or Torah more often?
Although all life dimensions are important, it is important to prioritize the dimensions. What are your top three for the year? Get a journal or a note book and write it down. Snap a picture of what you have written. Look at the picture often. When you are feeling overwhelmed and not sure whether to say no or yes to something, see if aligns with your priority. If it does not, the answer is clear.
Happy New Year and may you accomplish all that you want for the new year.
Dear Ngozi Osuagwu,
Thank you for the information and inspiration on healthy living and staying connected.
I like the topic on setting priorities. Often this is the first step of change as we enter a new year. There are so many dimensions of life that may appear to need change. Hence the need to prioritize. I like the snap shot approach in times of stress. In addition, it may be of help to consider what changes will produce the 1) most benefits (in terms of spiritual, material/ financial, physical and psychological wellbeing) and 2) what changes are measurable, even if it is a little bit at a time.
Thank you for your comments.