What's On Fire Here?

One morning a few days ago, I found myself filled with determination interwoven with anxiety. I had a tremendous list of things that needed to get done that day. Needed. Really. Yet the truth of the matter was that I knew - down deep inside even though I wasn't acknowledging it yet - that the chances that I'd get it all done that day were vanishingly slim. Nonetheless, I was convinced I needed ... well, you get the picture.

And I'd be willing to bet that you've experienced that same feeling. Whether it's at work (with your boss expecting one thing, your co-workers waiting for something else, and an employee at your office door with a crisis) or at home (where the laundry is piling up, the lawn hasn't been mowed in weeks, and the kids have soccer and yoga and swimming, and when was the last time you had a chance to just sit down with a cup of tea?), you, like me, have undoubtedly been there. If you just grit your teeth and focus, really concentrate, surely you can get it all done. (And then you can have that cup of tea!)

Of course, you can't. Not only can't you get it all done, but chances are you'll reach the end of the day exhausted, irritable, and angry with yourself. You'll be angry either because you "failed," or because you recognize (too late!) that you set yourself up for failure - or both. Either way, of course, you're in a no-win, all-lose position. Not fun, and not necessary, either.

Fortunately for me, I stopped and listened to that little voice telling me what trouble I was getting myself into. Not only did I stop and listen, but I actually agreed with it instead of arguing.

Once I recognized the impossibility of what I was expecting of myself, I was able to look at that "need" to get things done. I asked myself one simple question: "What's on fire here?"

In other words, what on that list was going to have real, tangible, and serious consequences if it didn't get done? Where on the list were the truly time-sensitive actions that, left uncompleted, would result in a broken promise, an important opportunity lost, a critical step missed in a larger project or stream of events?

Everything else didn't "need" to get done that day. In all probability many of those tasks would be "on fire" later in the week, but right now, that day, they weren't burning. And that meant they could be postponed. With luck and a little concentration (and maybe some delegation!), I would be able to get to them before they went up in flames, but I wasn't going to worry about them that day.

What I found truly fascinating about this process was that it resulted in a very different list of priorities than I would have had if I'd just started with what most appealed to me, or what I thought at first glance were the most urgent tasks. And it was absolutely the right prioritization.

That question - "What's on fire here?" - has become a big part of my planning process now. While I obviously prefer to get to things before they are in crisis mode, this question ensures that I'm focusing on the real priorities, rather than the things I want to do or think I should do.

So next time you hear that little voice of reality saying you can't possibly complete all the tasks on your "need to do it" list, I challenge you to stop, listen, and ask yourself, "What's on fire here?" And then do those things, and postpone the rest.

"A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first. Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first." Robert J. McKain, author, nationality and dates unknown.

(c)Grace L. Judson

Helping professionals who feel trapped and want a sense of direction

about the Author

Grace Judson is the founder of and driving force behind Svaha Concepts.

Stuck in a "success plateau" and having a hard time figuring out reasons to get out of bed in the morning? For more information or to access my free resources (including my free newsletter), be sure to visit Svaha Concepts' website.

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