This article first appeared in the Weekly Bujo Newsletter.
The word priority was originally derived from the Latin word "prioritas," which means "to come first." There is no plural in first. There can only ever be one true priority. Overwhelm is a symptom. Having multiple priorities is often the cause.
Trying to navigate more than one priority often results in a chaotic juggle where, despite our best intentions and meticulous planning. Everything feels urgent but nothing feels fully under control. The truth is simple: when you have multiple priorities, by definition, you have none.
No priority means no direction, no clarity, and no time. This results in feeling lost, overwhelmed, stressed, and unproductive. Acknowledging that only one thing can truly come first means we can more clearly see what is most important at any given moment.
Having one priority doesn’t diminish the value of other Actions. This is where prioritization comes in. Prioritization is the process of defining the order of importance. The most important thing is the priority. This is followed by what is next most important and so on. This is why I rank my Actions every day.
I start each day with a list of the 3 most important actions to move what matters forward. Then I compare them to each other. Of the three, which is the most important today? That gets a “1”, the priority of the day. Of the remaining two, which is more important? That gets a “2” and so on. This helps me prioritize my Actions and plan my day. The numbers define not only importance but the order in which I will take Action.
A priority is more than a concept; it’s a powerful filtering tool. It provides one clear direction that allows for both clarity and purpose. This in turn can reduce stress and increase productivity. Best of all, there’s a very simple way to implement this tool at any time: ask.
Every time you’re not sure what you should be working on, or you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself: what is my priority right now? I invite you to look at your list, and try it right now.
Think about time, effort, impact of the things in on your list. At first this may be difficult. Just take a moment to think about it, and more often than not, it will become clearer. As with any tool, its utility improves with the skill of the wielder. You cultivate this skill through both asking, doing, then reflecting.
You can map this simple question on to your day, week, month, or chapter of your life. It can reorient your focus, simplifying how you engage with the complexities of life, ensuring you’re not just busy, but effectively moving towards what matters.
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