Message #26 - Get Your Priorities Straight!

If I ask what your priorities are, most of you would give me a list that looks something like this:

           

            My Family

            My Children

            Taking Care of Myself/My Health

            Making Sure My Financial Future is Secure

            Taking Time to Travel/Relax/Play

            Being True to My Faith (if applicable)

If I then ask whether you’ve organized your life to make sure you’re spending enough time on your priorities, what do you think you’d say?

You get the point, right?  There’s a disconnect between what you say is important to you and the actions you take or don’t take to foster and nurture your priorities.

Get Your Priorities Straight!

Or at least tell the truth about it.  Hey, the truth may be that while in theory you want to spend more time with your family and children, it doesn’t happen.  You’re too consumed with your work and career (or something else that has your attention), and there’s just not enough time.

You remember the old question about whether when you’re on your deathbed you’ll bemoan the fact that you didn’t spend more time in the office.  On the face of it it’s ridiculous.  Who would possibly say ‘yes?’  But that’s not how you live your life.

You make excuses for not being true to what you say (pretend?) are your real priorities.  You put off the vacation you were going to take.  You are too busy to make more than a token appearance at your kid’s birthday party.  You break promises you make to your loved ones.

I’m not thinking only about men, by the way.  You women are just as guilty as the men folk when it comes to saying one thing and doing another.  And all of you have wonderful excuses.  So plausible.  So believable.  Who could possibly challenge such a well-meaning person?  He means well.  She’ll do better next time.  Please – spare me the platitudes.

Just tell the truth.  That’s all one can expect.  It would be great if you lived up to the lofty priorities that you know are the ones that really matter.  But if you aren’t going to walk your talk just say so.  Your candor will be appreciated.  And your personal integrity will be intact.

Ideally, of course, you’ll Get Your Priorities Straight and then deliver on them.