Goals, Dreams and Purpose

How do you most effectively plan your Daily things-to-do?

We've talked in the past several posts about Master Lists, Daily Lists, and Priorities. Those are all important steps in the process of planning your daily tasks.

But what criteria do you use for choosing your priorities?

I think one key component of that is to have a clear sense of your own dreams and goals. What do you want to accomplish with your life? What is your purpose in life?

I've sometimes heard the phrase "you can do anything you want". No, I don't think so. We all have a finite amount of time to work with. I've sometimes said to people that if there were twenty of me, there still wouldn't be enough to do all the things I would like to do.

So it becomes important to get clear about what you do really want for your life. What matters most to you? What do you really value? What do you want to leave as your legacy?

I won't get into the how-to's of figuring those things out here, but once you are clear about your purpose, your dreams and your goals, then it becomes much easier to plan your days.

Then part of what will end up on your Master List will be the projects and goals that will lead you toward your dreams.

The thing is that sometimes these things won't be the "urgent" things that can so easily fill up your time and your days. But if you are clear about what you really want, then you will find ways to include those steps and actions in your daily planning too.

Knowing what you want also makes it easier to say no to the things that don't fit for you. You don't have to make excuses or explain to others who have their own agendas for your time and energy. Sometimes you just need to politely and firmly say No, I already have something else scheduled for that time.

If you don't already have a written statement of your life purpose and your dreams and goals, I'd like to encourage you to take the time to do that soon. Even if it's just to get started thinking about it. It can be amazing what a difference that can make to your productivity, effectiveness and to your life in general.