As a business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the bustle of day-to-day
business. In the drive to make sure you will reach your monthly financial
goal, it can be tempting to spend a significant portion of your time fighting
the myriad fires that crop up every day. Instead, take the time to step
back and set “laser-sharp” priorities to focus on what’s really
important – and keep yourself from spending time on what’s not.

When you have set goals for the business the priorities should be unmistakably
clear and specific, you know what to focus on and, therefore, what should
get your attention, resources, and follow-through. “The right priorities,
combined with appropriate follow-through, keep the truly important things
from being driven off the radar screen in the day-to-day hurly-burly of
life at work where everything can seem urgent and important.”, says
Ram Charan, author of Know-How: The 8 Skills That Separate People
Who Perform From Those Who Don’t.

Think of priorities as the pathways to your major goals. Which if you have truly chosen goals that are important to you, their achievement would have a significant effect on your business and your life. Haphazard planning of priorities is a result of following established habits in response to circumstances. Habits are actions taken without conscious decision. Your goals are too important to leave to chance.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you set priorities:

• A crystallized program of goals provides a sound basis for setting meaningful priorities.
• Get in touch with where you are spending your time; check to see if you are working in high priority, high payoff activities.
• Daily identify specific periods of time for activities that produce high payoff, everything else gets worked in around them.
• Set deadlines. They exercise a subtle effect on your attitude.
• If your priorities seem overwhelming, procrastination can set in, break each project or situation into smaller steps.
• Learn to delegate, and get agreement from everyone you need support from, as to what the priorities are.
• Take one half hour per week to plan and regroup, it can be the best priority activity you can give yourself.

The Challenge: Re-evaluate your priorities in relation to the goals you set for yourself, are you making the progress you want to make? Let us know if you need help.