Setting

sun be to you as its close."
- John Ruskin

Learning to prioritize can help you organize important things and unimportant things. It

can help you recognize what is urgent from what is less urgent. For example, if you

spend a lot of time reading, sorting and sending email learn to identify what is important

from what isn't. Have a folder where you can keep the jokes and videos for a time when

you need a pick me up. Do not feel obligated to forward on jokes. Learn to delete and

let go and you will have an uncluttered inbox. Ask friends not to send you chain emails.

The time you save on something as simple as prioritizing email will give you more time

to go out and spend quality time with your friends.

TIP 1. You have the following things on a to do list: clean bathroom, study for test tomorrow, buy a new CD, call a friend, apply for a loan, go for a walk. Which do you do first? How do you decide? Know how to separate number one priorities from low priorities in your life. By numbering them in the order of importance you are sure to get the important things done.

TIP 2. If you have no items on your to do list (or in your mind) are you really going to get anything done or complete steps to goals that you have? Without prioritizing the opposite is true as well. If you are always being pulled in a hundred different directions you will not get anything done.

TIP 3. If you know you are easily distracted by the TV, friends, telephone, etc. what do you do? Be prepared to get things done by taking care of any distractions beforehand. Learn to focus in all kinds of situations and be able to clear your mind to allow concentration.

TIP 4. Kill two birds with one stone. Focus on your priorities by adding some FUN to the boring jobs. Get a cordless phone and while you are calling a friend clean the bathroom.

TIP 5. Don't set yourself up for impossible situations by doing too much. You need more than enough time for successfully completing your activities. You want time working with you not against you.

6. If you are feel yourself becoming overloaded. Be flexible enough in your priorities so that you allow time for "breathers," fun and relaxation. You may also have to drop some lower priority items to increase your rate of success.

7. Get to know yourself better. Know how and why you procrastinate. Know how to handle crisis and still be able to carry on everyday routines. Know your emotions that prevent you from getting things done such as: daydreaming, guilt, stress, anger, boredom, sadness or frustration. Know your physical body when you start to get drained or sick.

To actually see a visual of your priorities try the following activity. (word / RTF / PDF)

1. Place your responsibilities, activities and lifestyle interests in the chart below.
For example below the heading "School" you could write homework, studying, extra-curricular, etc.

2. Use a check mark to show if the activity needs your money, time, energy or pressure. For example if you wrote "Homework" you may have check marks under 'time' and 'energy.'

3. After you enter all your responsibilities you will be able to see your priorities clearly.
This will give you a realistic view of the areas where you need to cut back.
It will also show you the areas where you can afford to take on more.

Home/Family

School

Time Alone

Friends

Fun