Prioritizing matters

Stephan Covey writes "the key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."

During a recent conversation with my colleague about productivity, he brought up Parkinson's Law. I couldn't place the term but I realized I was familiar with the concept: work expands to fill the time available for its completion. In other words, if you allocate a week for a task, the work tends to occupy that entire timeframe. This idea has significant implications for productivity; perceived time constraints can either simplify or complicate a task.

This discussion served as a reminder for me to invest quality time in activities I truly enjoy, freeing myself from unnecessary worry about tasks that simply need completion. It also reinforced the importance of diligently scheduling my priorities rather than merely prioritizing what's on my schedule without thoughtful consideration. I've applied this approach to both my professional and personal life. At work, this has helped me to maintain a good work life balance amid a busy schedule, And as far as my personal life, I'm currently prioritizing time for connecting with family and friends and creative pursuits like writing and painting, and relishing in walks by the river. The result? Absolute joy.