In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos of everyday life. We find ourselves constantly reacting to emails, phone calls, work demands, and social media—focusing on what feels urgent rather than what’s truly important. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “Are my actions aligned with what I value most?”
This question is at the heart of living a purposeful life. In my latest episode of *The Extraordinary Everyday podcast*, I discuss why priorities matter and how aligning them with your core values can help you live more intentionally and meaningfully.
Why Priorities Matter
Priorities are like a compass. They guide us through life’s noise and help us focus on what truly matters. When we don’t have clear priorities, we feel scattered, overwhelmed, and constantly busy—but not in ways that actually move us forward.
Most of us fall into the trap of responding to what’s urgent. The ringing phone, the flashing email notification, the last-minute work request—these things feel pressing, but often, they’re distractions from what truly aligns with our values.
This is where the real challenge comes in: learning to differentiate between *urgent* tasks and *important* ones. The most important things in life—like nurturing relationships, focusing on your health, or working on long-term goals—rarely demand your attention with the same urgency. But they are the things that lead to lasting fulfillment.
The Common Trap: Urgent vs. Important
In the podcast, I discuss a concept known as the Eisenhower Matrix, which breaks tasks down into four categories:
1. **Urgent and important**: Tasks that need immediate attention and are aligned with your goals or values.
2. **Important but not urgent**: These are the activities that matter most—long-term goals, relationships, self-care—but don’t have pressing deadlines.
3. **Urgent but not important**: These are the distractions. They demand your attention, but they don’t align with what’s truly important.
4. **Neither urgent nor important**: Tasks that simply waste time and don’t contribute to your priorities.
Unfortunately, many of us spend too much time reacting to the third category—urgent but not important. Think of unnecessary meetings, trivial work requests, or the endless flood of emails. These things can make us feel busy, but they often pull us away from what really matters.
5 Steps to Aligning Your Priorities with Your Values
If you’ve realized that your life is filled with distractions, don’t worry—you’re not alone. In the episode, I walk listeners through five actionable steps to realign their priorities and focus on what truly matters.
Here’s a breakdown of those steps:
1. Identify Your Core Values
Before you can set meaningful priorities, you need to understand what truly matters to you. This requires some self-reflection. Ask yourself:
– *What makes me feel fulfilled?*
– *What are my non-negotiables in life?*
– *When do I feel the most aligned and at peace?*
Your values could be things like family, creativity, personal growth, financial independence, health, or service to others. The goal is to identify 3-5 core values that will guide your decision-making.
2. Examine Your Current Priorities
Once you’ve identified your core values, take a hard look at your current priorities. Are your daily actions reflecting your values, or are they driven by urgency and external pressures? Are you spending time on what’s truly important, or are you caught in the cycle of reacting to what’s right in front of you?
This step often requires brutal honesty. For example, if you say that health is a priority but you’re constantly skipping workouts or staying up late, there’s a disconnect between your values and your actions. A time audit, where you track how you spend your day, can be eye-opening.
3. Make Adjustments
Here’s where the change happens. Once you’ve identified where your time and energy are going, you can begin to make adjustments. It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul—small, consistent changes are powerful.
Start by scheduling time for what matters. For instance, if family is your priority, carve out dedicated time each week to spend with them without distractions. If personal growth is important, block off time for reading, learning, or creative pursuits.
Learn to say no to things that don’t align with your values. This might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s essential if you want to protect your time and energy for the things that truly matter.
4. Set Boundaries
Without boundaries, it’s easy for other people’s demands or distractions to take over your time. Setting clear boundaries around your priorities is key to sticking with them.
For example, if work is bleeding into your personal time, set limits—whether that’s turning off notifications after a certain hour or committing to not checking emails on weekends. If self-care is a priority, let others know when you’ll be unavailable for non-essential tasks.
Boundaries aren’t just about saying no to others—they’re about saying yes to yourself and what matters most.
5. Review Regularly
Your priorities and values will evolve over time. That’s why it’s important to regularly check in with yourself and reassess whether your current priorities are still aligned with what you value most. Life changes, and so should your focus.
By reviewing your priorities every few months, you can make sure that your actions are staying in alignment with your evolving goals and values.
Final Thoughts: Living in Alignment
To sum it all up, here’s a thought that I shared in the podcast:
*”The key to living a fulfilling life isn’t in doing more, but in doing what matters most. Priorities are the compass that guides us away from the noise of urgency and toward the things that truly align with our values.”*
When we focus on what’s truly important—our health, our relationships, our passions—we create a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling. It’s not about being busy; it’s about being intentional.
So take a step back today. Reflect on your values, examine your current priorities, and start making the small changes that will bring your life into alignment with what matters most. You’ll be amazed at how much more purposeful and peaceful your days will feel.
Further Resources
**Listen to the full episode of *The Extraordinary Everyday* for more insights and real-life stories about how aligning your priorities with your values can change everything.**
**To cultivate an empowered mindset, join me in the More You membership for women. I’d love to see you inside.**
**Download your FREE copy of the Mindset Makeover to show up as the highest version of yourself.**
