Identifying Priorities
Mar 5, 2012

Does your organization have priorities? Do you know what they are, how they were identified and how they affect your work and your career path?
When everything is a priority; nothing is. Everyone likes to think that their project or work area is a ‘priority for the company'. The work in question might be important, even a necessity but still not a real priority. Priority work does not mean important work, or desirable outcomes or even imminent challenges. Real priorities are indicated by:
1. large, certain and widespread impact;
2. an imperative for a speedy response, like an opportunity that will expire in a short time, and
3. guaranteed growth for the company.
Apply this truism to your personal life as well. Not everything demanding your time and attention is equal. Do you know your own priorities? Are the people around you aware of those priorities? Do you periodically reconsider and recalibrate those priorities?