“The most important thing I have learnt in life is to FOCUS my energy on what is important in life”
Bill Gates
Setting one’s priorities right is one of the most important actions you can take in life.
That is because your priorities will dictate your destiny.
Yet, it is startling to look at statistics which show that only a very small percentage of us are capable of clearly articulating – in hierarchical order – our ‘’Big Five” priorities in life.
Some of us do it out of ignorance, some out of fear, and some because they cannot see the value in doing so.
Dr John de Martini says:
“If you do not empower yourself, someone or something will overpower you.”
This is what clear priorities can do for YOU:
❖ Clear priorities focus your finite energies
❖ Clear priorities help YOU to make better YES/NO decisions in life.
❖ Clear priorities steer YOU towards what you want in life.
❖ Clear priorities make life far easier for YOU.
❖ Clear priorities empower you.
We are all unique human beings – and our priorities do differ as life goes on.
But, the priorities of the great champions always present a COMMON pattern from which we can all learn to avoid procrastination – and grow wiser.
Indeed:
“Human greatness leaves footprints”
The good news is that these patterns -these footprints – can be mapped and modeled to help us on our own roads to human greatness.
This is how the great champions of life unpack their highest priorities – importantly in hierarchical order:
#Priority Number One: YOURSELF.
Many people see their FAMILY as their #.1 priority in life.
They put their family right at the top of their hierarchical list.
The great champions do not do this.
They invest in themselves first and foremost.
Why?
“You can’t help others effectively until you help yourself. Life is about setting up right to be able to inspire and help others.”
To impact positively on others you must ensure that you are always coming from a position of strength.
This is not to a say that their families are not of utmost importance.
Consider the following wisdom from Bob Bulford:
“Champions recognize that self-interest is central to one’s human design, but count the greatest gain as the goodwill of fellow humankind.”
Add these wise words from American professional life coach Corey Wayne:
“By taking care of yourself first, you’ll put yourself in a position to have abundance to take care of others.”
The great champions possess very high levels of FCB – having great FAITH, CONFIDENCE &BELIEF to deliver on their purpose & priorities in life.
Just think about all the people you could help because you helped YOURSELF first.
Priority Number Two: YOUR LIFE PURPOSE (YOUR WHY in life)
YOUR PURPOSE is why you exist. It is the ‘the why’ in your life.
It’s the one thing that you become an expert in, so that you can positively influence and contribute to this world.
“Every living being was born to accomplish certain purpose. It’s the knowledge of that purpose that enables every soul to fulfill it.” Mohammed Ali
Invest wisely in your purpose – your vocation– as the world, your family, your friends, your colleagues, your clients need YOU.
Your contribution and your impact on others will always be more valuable when ‘your why’ is clear, compelling and congruent with your priorities and performance goals.
Priority Number Three: YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS
Here it is as Priority #3 – the critical importance of your Family and your Friends.
Prioritise both as they play a vital role in your life.
The investment which you have made in BRAND YOURSELF (Priority #1) and YOUR PURPOSE (Priority #2) will impact on those who you love and cherish.
Your contribution will be immense – if you set up right in life.
Priority Number Four: YOUR HEALTH & YOUR WEALTH
Both are important as they can easily be lost if you do not prioritize and invest in them.
The key to health is to strive to live a balanced life.
Living a balanced life means getting it right in all three realms of life and health, namely:
❖ PHYSICAL – what you put into your body.
❖ CHEMICAL – what you put into your mouth.
❖ EMOTIONAL – what you put into your head.
Optimum health comes from maintaining optimal balance in all three realms.
Priority Number Five: YOUR LIFESTYLE.
Every one of us seeks one’s own desired lifestyle.
If you do not prioritize the things you love to do, they will pass you by.
What’s more is that if you do not take ‘time out’ – you will run the risk of burn out.
The great champions know that if they are to sustain great– they need to manage their finite energy levels.
You have to find time to: “Relax & Refuel “
By prioritizing your lifestyle choices – making time for the things you love to do– you will find the energy to ‘step up to the plate’ when required.
Whether it’s running, sailing, fishing, reading, shopping, whatever – it’s vitally important to find the time to re-energize yourself.
“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” Walter Hagen
Now you know how the great champions of life set up right – by prioritizing right.
Here are their BIG FIVE priorities summed up in hierarchical order:
❖ Priority No.1: YOURSELF
❖ Priority No.2: YOUR PURPOSE
❖ Priority No.3: YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS
❖ Priority No.4: YOUR HEALTH & YOUR WEALTH
❖ Priority No.5: YOUR DESIRED LIFESTYLE
Go well, keep focused and reap the benefits of a healthy, happy and prioritized life.
Go Great
Rob
Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist, Author, Keynote Speaker, Performance Coach to business and sports teams – and life coach to those on a journey to self-actualisation.
- Through his game-changing THE GAME PLAN METHOD he helps both Teams and Individuals to achieve their own greatest potential in life.
For further Insights, Innovation and Inspiration, please visit www.thegameplan.co.za
