The post Forget the To-Do List: Here’s a Better Way to Identify Your Priorities appeared first on Brazen Life.
]]> Are you tired of the same old advice on prioritizing, like “Know what’s important to you,” “Write a To-Do list” and “Use this productivity app”?Well, here’s the good news: That’s about to change.
All you need is a clean piece of paper, a pencil and a place where you can sit back, relax and enjoy some coffee (or whichever beverage you prefer). (Click here to tweet this thought.)
On the paper, draw a five-column table. Label the first column “My Priorities” and list everything you consider important to you in that column. Then, label the succeeding columns with the following questions, in order:
List the reasons why the items in Column 1 are important to you.
For example, if you’re a full-time office worker who freelances on the side, your priorities will include “My Job” and “My Freelancing Side Gig.” You can write “Because I need a stable source of income” next to “My Job,” and “Because I want to turn my creative passion into a profession” next to “My Freelancing Side Gig.”
Whatever you do, don’t leave anything out. This is important for the next step, which is…
In this part, think about whether your priorities are worth struggling for. Going back to the previous example, is the “stable source of income” worth the extra hours you spend at the office? Is your pursuit of your “creative passion” worth the complaints from family and friends that you don’t have enough time for them — or for yourself — anymore?
If your answer to these questions is “Yes,” put a checkmark in Column 3 next to the corresponding item in Column 2. Otherwise, leave the space blank.
Sometimes, the priorities listed in Column 1 bog you down, to the point that you feel like dropping some of them. In that case, you’ll want to visualize the logical worst-case scenarios that can happen from doing so, and list these scenarios under Column 4.
This may be a bit difficult, since humans aren’t hardwired to think about worst-case scenarios, but you have to do it if you want to psychologically prepare yourself for the worst. It’s best if you list as many items as you can in this part, so you can easily answer the question…
If the scenarios you listed in Column 4 happen to you today, will you be prepared for them? Under Column 5, put a check mark next to the corresponding item in Column 4 if “No,” and leave the space blank if “Yes.”
Better take a deep breath first, because this is going to be the hardest part of the exercise. (Don’t worry; it’s also the last part.)
Add up the number of Column 3 checkmarks and the number of Column 5 checkmarks per Column 1 item. For example, let’s suppose “My Job” has 12 checks in Column 3, and seven checks in Column 5, while “My Freelancing Side Gig” has 11 checks in Column 3, and two checks in Column 5.
Then, subtract the numbers in Column 5 from the ones in Column 3. “My Job” would have five net check marks (12 – 7), while “My Freelancing Gig” would have nine (11 – 2).
Based on these final numbers, rank your priorities from highest to lowest, in terms of net checkmarks. Using our examples, “My Freelancing Gig” would have the highest score, and should therefore be your top priority.
Voila! You have an instant, organized list of your current priorities. Pretty neat, huh?
If there’s one thing you should prioritize, it’s your priorities. Why not try this exercise today, and let us know in the comments section how it worked for you?
Issa Mirandilla writes about freelancing, writing, marketing, careers, and other business-related topics. Give her a nudge on Twitter or visit her website here.
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The post Forget the To-Do List: Here’s a Better Way to Identify Your Priorities appeared first on Brazen Life.
]]> http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2014/06/23/forget-list-heres-better-way-identify-priorities/feed/ 5The post 5 Big Things You’ll Learn From Your First Real-World Job appeared first on Brazen Life.
]]> When you graduated from college, what did you imagine the corporate world would be like?Maybe you fancied yourself sashaying into the office in a nice suit, surrounded by likeminded people and finally — finally! — buying that sports car/gadget/designer outfit you always wanted.
Well, that’s certainly part of the package. But there’s more. No matter what field you work in, you’ll be presented with some of the same challenges.
Once you spend enough time in your cubicle, you’ll quickly learn these things that few (if any) college professors teach you:
Of the thousands of applicants who applied for this one opening, the company chose you. That gives you every reason to act like a complete braggart on the first day on the job, right?
Hold your horses. Remember, your coworkers also had to go through a rigorous application process to get where they are now, plus they know the ins and out of the company. You don’t. You’re not exactly on equal footing with them.
Plus, you still have to comply with company rules, learn the organizational culture and figure out how to get along with difficult coworkers, just to start. Speaking of which…
If you’re shy and reserved, you may have a little more trouble in an office environment than your outgoing office mates. After all, you have to spend at least eight hours with them, and face-to-face interaction is inevitable.
It’s tempting to just bury yourself in your work and wait for the clock to signal “Logout time!”, but you’ll find everyday life more bearable if you make the effort to be friendly with your coworkers.
As with starting anything new, finding your footing at first will be tough. You’ll have to learn the processes, sit through meetings in which you have no idea what’s going on, figure out how to read your boss and navigate the best way to work with your team.
Once you iron everything out, you’ll find the challenge shifts from adjusting to the corporate culture to ensuring that no workday becomes boring (at least, for you).
Find ways to break the monotony. Look for new challenges to keep learning. Don’t succumb to the Internet vortex and spend all day glued to your computer scrolling through Buzzfeed or online window shopping.
Add choice mementos to your workspace (e.g. pictures of loved ones, inspirational notes, small toys) and get up from your desk, move around and chitchat with coworkers when you have a break.
Surprised I just described employment as a risk? Contrary to what you may have been taught, having a job does not guarantee financial stability. (Click here to Tweet this thought.)
If the inflation rate outstrips your annual salary increase or if you get handed a pink slip, you’re in a dangerous situation. So it’s a good idea to have a backup source of income, such as savings, bonds and stocks or a side job to bring in extra income.
Living below your means also helps.
There’s no need to feel stuck in your job, even in a bleak labor market.
You can stick it out and hope your three to five years will count for something. Or, you can leave right now — but not before landing another steady source of income with the help of good networking. You can also start a side business, and if it seems to have a promising future, you can kiss your employer goodbye.
I’m not suggesting you bolt every time you get a corporate job offer. Far from it. I’m saying it helps to think realistically when it comes to dipping your toe in the “real world” water.
Issa Mirandilla writes about freelancing, writing, marketing, careers, personal finance and other business-related topics. Give her a nudge on Twitter or visit her website here.
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The post 5 Big Things You’ll Learn From Your First Real-World Job appeared first on Brazen Life.
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