Episode 53 – How to Set Priorities When Everything Feels Important

Welcome to the Mentor 4 Moms Podcast!

On this episode:

Figuring out what matters most is important as managers of such an important organization as the family. There’s always something to do, but what matters is an important distinction to make. There are five core areas you’re managing:

Children/Caretaker
Household
Activities
Overwhelming circumstances
Self Care

One tool that can help you prioritize is the Eisenhower Matrix. The four quadrants are “Important/Urgent” or “I’m on it!”, “Important/Not Urgent” or “I’m working on it”, “Not Important/Urgent” or “I need you to work on this”, and “Not Important/Not Urgent” or “Squirrel!” Here are some examples:

Eisenhower Matrix with examples for each quadrant

There are three questions we can ask to help clarify what is important.

What can’t wait?

When I’m traveling there’s always an urgency right before I leave bc some things can’t be done later.
For example- I can’t do my daughters hair on the road, but I can organize my speaking notes.
I prioritize the things that cannot wait.

Who else could do it?

Perhaps I’ve always done it, but it doesn’t have to be done by me. This year my mom and dad drive my girls to their classes. It’s a win:win – they feel needed and a part of the girl’s education and I get a much needed extra hour instead of being Mom Uber driver for my girls.

What’s your true goal?

Setting priorities means knowing your true goal.
Family meetings not happening lately. Multiple commitments that keep one or more of us from attending.
Goal was to stay connected. We must regroup to find a way to still do that even when our schedules change

Here is a blank template you can use to help you in setting priorities.