By Harrish Sairaman
We all have grown up thinking and dreaming about various things we wish to do and more importantly wish to be. The question, “where do you see your life going?” haunts all of us during various occasions prompting us to take a deeper look at our lives, as most of us cannot come up with a befitting reply to the question.
Undoubtedly, it is extremely difficult to be able to do everything on our to-do list in today’s busy rat race of a life. Psychologists and therapists often prompt people to ask “why” behind everything that the heart desires to do as it provides a deeper understanding of why certain goals hold value to an individual. However, even if you successfully find the why behind your goal, it is still possible to lose track of them.
The question that arises subsequently is how does one set their priorities straight? And the answer is as simple as being able to understand what is most important at that particular time. In order to see where your life is heading, there are ways to take control of your life by setting your priorities right, in line.
Bring in clarity in your short term and long term goals
This is the first and foremost step as one needs to be aware of their short and long-term goals in order to be able to prioritise them. Without clearly defined goals it is impossible to set your priorities. If perhaps you think, you are unclear about your long-term goals, start out by defining you short-term goals. Often we get so wrapped up in thinking about the long-term future, we forget about managing our short-term goals.
Make an action plan
Once your goals are ready you can define the “how” of your plan by working on broader strategies and eventually breaking it down into specific action parts.
Start designating time slots
Although this might sound mechanical to start with but having designated time slots will enable you to make your plan systematic and achievable. Instead of working tirelessly, this will give you a broader picture of how long it will take to accomplish certain tasks, helping you prioritise more effectively. Reflection is key: spending 10 minutes everyday introspecting on how your day was will help you prioritise more effectively.
Set a timetable
It is of utmost necessity to set a timetable for yourself as it not only keeps you disciplined but also helps you be on track for whatever goals you want to set for yourself.
Minimalize distractions
There are times a technological detox could help in reaching out to your deeper self. The internet, the television, mobiles all play a very crucial role in keeping you away from yourself. It is perfectly acceptable to set everything aside for a while in order to reach out to your deeper self and set methodologies to achieve your life plan. Keeping a track on the time spent on distractions and activities is crucial.
Understand it is completely fine for your priorities to change
Over a period of time, it is absolutely natural for your priorities to change. As we evolve over a period of time so do our priorities and goals in life. At one point what seems like the utmost priority might not be the same after you evolve. The most important thing here is to have clarity over the fact that it is okay for your priorities to change.
Hire a mentor or coach
Many people underestimate the power of the presence of a mentor and a coach in their life. Mentors can help us discover things about ourselves we might have never known. Their birds-eye view can also help us correct and bring in new perspectives.
Implementing the above points can help you usher in a new beginning and remember that it is never too late to take charge of life and start living a more meaningfully.
Harrish Sairaman is a motivational speaker and has successfully driven over 1200+ workshops touching lives of over 2,00,000 + participants.