We know what we want to do. We are in total control of our actions. Yet, we don’t do what it is we want to do. How is that possible? We know it isn’t impossible because we achieve this feat frequently. The issue isn’t that we fail to get things done. The issue is we get the wrong tasks done. We let fluff disguised as important tasks take us away from the real deal. We allow the low-hanging fruit (the quick and easy stuff) to delay the start of the strenuous, more vital things. Our issue is prioritization. Pinpointing what we want to do is not the problem. Eliminating distractions and completing the correct tasks are the mountains we need to climb.
How often do we speak to people in our circle or ourselves about exactly what we want to do? It is the topic we discuss and think of most. Of course, the subject changes from person to person. The subject matter isn’t as important as the action. The action shows we all have something we value enough to declare a goal. We confuse aspiration with the ability to accomplish something. Desire is a prerequisite, but it is not a tool that can help us attain it. We can want to fly all we want, right? We are going nowhere with the knowledge or ability to do it. How can we get in the air? We can apply this analogy to any goal. We should prioritize tasks that push us to our target. It sounds so simple because it is simple. We make it complicated. If we want something in our kitchen, we walk to the kitchen. We should apply that method of action to our life.
Yet, we don’t. We stop in the living area where the television is on. We then go to the bedroom, where a fully charged phone awaits. After searching online for different types of food, it clicks there is a room in our home that houses food. We walk out of our bedroom. We run into a spouse, parent, or child who asks a question that requires our attention. We address their issue as best we can. Walking away from them, we run into another member of the family. They are snacking on something and also ask a question that requires our attention. We help address their problem while snacking with them. We then get up and walk towards the kitchen. Just before we get there, the phone rings. This scenario is life. This sequence explains how we know what we want to do, are in control of our actions, and don’t do what we want to do. To add insult to injury, our want to go to the kitchen has dwindled. We’ve encountered numerous distractions. We even snacked on something we had no desire to eat. The “hunger” (a.k.a Desire/Aspiration) was no match for life.
What was missing was the ability to eliminate distractions and complete the correct tasks. If we had those abilities, we don’t stop in the living room. Simply not doing that gets us into the kitchen. If we fail, we’ll still have multiple opportunities to eliminate distractions and complete the correct tasks. With practice and awareness of our actions, we will catch ourselves early in situations such as the example given above.
In closing, prioritization is the key to completing goals. Not desire. Not knowledge of the objective. It isn’t sharing the goal. Only prioritization gets us to the dream. With our priorities in order, we are prepared to navigate around distractions and perform actions beneficial to the target. It may seem selfish, but it is what it takes to get things done. Selflessness is a good trait, but it can become an enemy. We must remind ourselves how better of a help we can be when personal desires are in order. A clear mind provides excellent assistance, and a distracted one gives what it can. Priorities are important.
Food for thought. You do the dishes!
