H.L Hunt, an American oil tycoon, and the inspiration for the television series Dallas, is credited saying, “Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.”

What two main areas can help you prioritize better?

It's amazing to me that we think we will accomplish what we want to without being clear on our goals and values.

You've heard this before I'm sure: we spend more time getting clear on the goals of a vacation than we do being clear on our life goals, and values.

But, have you heard this: if you get frustrated when things come up because they interfere with what your “planned” priorities are, it could be because your priorities aren't planned according to your values.

When we take the time to keep our goals and values in front of us or on top of our mind, then when those "crisises" happen as they inevitably will, it reduces frustration and gives us power as to how we respond.

Have you ever made this mistake I did?

This took me many years to learn, so please know I’m not the best expert in this one! However I can say, that since learning this powerful way to live to my values, my life is minimized with stress and frustrations.

For example, I’ve always known how important my family is to me. My husband, my mom, my dad, my sisters, my son and his family. Oops; did I mention my husband? Whew, yes.

For years my goals and priorities were career oriented. I can remember one particular time being a wake me up but it did not do it. My son was 11 or 12 years old and asked me to drive a new friend of his home from school. I whined and complained this was interfering with my work time. I so regret that moment in time.

Now, everyday as I look at my schedule, looking at me right in the eyes are my values and goals. Being congruent with the family spectrum now - my mom is aging and becoming more dependent, my sister may need help, or my son wants to webcam - I more easily reshift my daily or weekly priorities.

Back to you.

The first question in my online assessment regarding prioritizing, http://prostrategies.com/free/PriorityAssess.php asks you to rate your effectiveness on a scale of 1 to 5: My tasks and actions each day tie directly to my various life area goals and values.

How would you rate your daily activities on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being more true: Are your daily activities in line with your various life area goals and values?

Sign up at Pat’s website at http://www.prostrategies.com for her free teleclasses! And a free monthly ezine.

Pat Weber - coach, certified telelcass leader, and corporate trainer, America's #1 Coach for Introverts. Working with small business owners, independent professionals and salespeople to get as successful as you want to be, with more fun and more energy.

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