Your Why is Your Fuel

If the purpose isn’t strong enough, then the task probably won’t get done.

I learned this from my work in project management and it is one of the truths I rely on to actually get things done.

Here’s what I mean:

Last week a friend asked for my help with organizing her home and personal schedule to optimize her productivity. She is a full time mom with a toddler and a baby on the way.

She was upset that she wasn’t able to tackle several items on her task list.

“I set aside time for these tasks on multiple occasions, but I still didn’t do them - I chose to do something else instead! What is wrong with me??” she lamented.

She was frustrated with the circumstance, but mostly with herself.

We’ve all been there. ✋

This is what I told her:

“It seems to me that the items on your list aren’t important enough to prioritize - meaning, you haven’t decided that they are important enough.

If it were me, I would carefully consider each item to determine if it even deserves a place on the list! Because at the end of the day, the purpose behind each task has to be strong enough for you to prioritize it over something else.”

After some discussion, we decided those things weren’t actually important after all, which is likely why she never got around to doing them, even when she set aside the time. 💡

As business owners, project managers, and human beings, so often our days are consumed with all the things we think we “should” do or menial tasks that actually don’t make much impact.

I'm here to tell you that It’s ok to decide not to do those things. It’s ok to cross things off the list because they no longer belong there.

Instead, I encourage you to focus on what matters, because that's how you will actually get the right things done.

And here's a pro tip: if you have a strong enough “why,” then you will almost effortlessly know what those things are, because your purpose will guide you. 💫