Outlining Your Priorities, Goals & Tasks

I had an interesting discussion in a recent Brainstorming Hour session about the difference between priorities, goals and tasks. This is an important distinction as you set out to create the life you want, or the success you desire in your business...

• A priority is something you consider more important than other things, it takes precedence over other things in your life.

• A goal is the object of your ambition, the desired end result.

• Tasks of course are the steps you take, the things you do, to reach that goal.

This may seem obvious, but the distinction is key when you sit down with a head full of thoughts & ideas to brainstorm the direction you want to take your life.

See the "Evernote Productivity Tips" at the end of this post. You'll learn my simple system to "gamify" your priorities and stay on task! 😉

To give you a simple example, one of my priorities is to get in amazing shape this year. The goal is be my happiest, healthiest self and to look flat-out fabulous! The tasks are eating healthy and exercising on a consistent (daily) basis - which includes both gym time and a more active lifestyle (hiking, skiing, Latin dance lessons even!).

That was an example of a personal priority, except I work in that niche, lol.

To give you a business related example: One of my priorities is to complete the Niche Success Blueprint course modules, then repurpose it and teach it as a Live Workshop.

The goal is to increase revenue dramatically by offering multiple formats, and to put the course into more hands to help people achieve the same lifestyle I have for myself.

The tasks include: completing the last few training modules, editing/updating, setting up the affiliate site and resources & recruiting affiliates, repurposing the content into Live Workshop format, creating a marketing plan for the Workshop.

Once you know the base outline of tasks you'll need to accomplish to reach your goal, you can break those down into micro-tasks, creating an easy actionable task list.

The key is in consistent daily action - always moving forward!

Get Your Vision: Know Where You're Going!

In order to achieve your goals, and to make your goals a priority, you have to get a clear vision of the end result in your mind.

In both of the examples I gave you above, I can actually SEE it clearly in my mind - and that gets me excited about making it happen! It's as simple as getting a visual of success in your mind so sharp that it FUELS you forward each day.

I first learned about this simple, yet highly effective, method in the classic Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I'm not a huge fan of modern "law of attraction" type teachings (don't throw tomatoes!! haha), but absolutely love the original classic.

It's practical, which is right up my alley.

You can download the PDF version free here, or get the MP3 version cheap.

I highly recommend TAGR to anyone that is serious about setting life-changing goals.

Get Serious! Invest In Yourself, In Your Future...

Wanting alone won't get you anywhere.

My desire to get in amazing shape this year is not enough. I actually have to get off my a$$ and MAKE it happen. 😉

It's not going to happen in a week either, or even a month. It will only happen as the result of consistent action toward that goal, ie: doing the tasks, over time.

It is also NOT a competition. I am unique, and my priorities and goals are my own personal challenge. That's a good mindset to adopt. You really cannot compare yourself to others.

For example, it took me longer than some (many, even) to reach my business and financial goals. Sure there were days I found that discouraging. However I was a single parent with a special needs child and no extended family. I was below the poverty level and "in the red" when I started. I had less education and experience than some.

Did any of those things STOP me? NO! There was no reason not to go for my dreams, no matter how long it took me, and plenty of reasons why I should. And so I did. 😀 I don't regret any of the work (or time!) it took to get where I wanted to be...

What I achieved in my life and business, considering where I came from and how I started, is nothing short of amazing. I am now living "my vision" from years ago - when it was only a dream. The sense of accomplishment runs deep. It was the result of many small tasks in line with the goals I set, ie: daily consistent action.

Next, See: Easy Goal Setting Exercise and FUN Challenge!

Best,

p.s. Remember to grab Think & Grow Rich Free. 😉

I would love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment and share YOUR priorities, your goals, or your preferred method of prioritizing your goals & staying on track...