How to Move from To Do Lists to Priority Based Goals

Do you have a mission statement written? Have you actually thought about and written down what your most important roles and priorities are? Until recently, I hadn’t. Here is how I am moving from to do list goals to priority based goals.

I started writing goals on my blog in October 2015. There were daily and weekly habits I was trying to establish, and projects I was trying to complete – and writing them down and publishing them has been helpful for clarity and accountability. There is power and motivation in the simple act of writing down your intention.

Finding and Writing down Your “Why”

Recently, I was able to start a course called Goals with Grace: Goal Planning with Intention & Purpose. It has given me the tools and motivation to go back to thinking about and writing down my “why.” If you’re like me, you have a vague idea of your overarching reasons for the goals that you set, but you’ve never taken the time to sit down and write them down.

Victoria, at Creative Home Keeper, walks you step by step through thinking about and evaluating your current roles, responsibilities, and tasks that fill your life. I found this really helpful to write out and evaluate.

Are the things that are filling my schedule, reflecting what is important to me?

Are my roles and priorities out of order? 

My Current Priorities

My priorities in this current season are:

• Jesus
• My husband and our marriage
• My Children
• Wellness
• Blogging

I value other things, of course, like friendships, service, and maintaining my home, but they aren’t the most important priorities during this current season.

This exercise helped me realize that my priorities are currently skewed. Based on how I currently spend my time, blogging and building up my business are at the top of my priority list. Ouch!

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a season of hustle, or trying to build up a business. I do think it has to be intentionally chosen and not just “fallen into.” This insight has led me to think about how I will change the way I use my time so that my top relationships are given the time and attention they need and deserve.

Writing out priority driven action statements

Goals with Grace takes you from listing your current priorities to writing out action statements. Here are my action statements:

• I will live as a secure, joyful daughter of God in my heart, my words and my actions.
• I will be fully present in my marriage and family, giving them my best self, not the leftovers.
• I want to live mindfully and purposefully with healthy habits in sleep, movement, and eating.
• I will blog intentionally and with focus.

There is some much more to the course that I haven’t gone through yet. There is a lot of brainstorming and brain dumping in order to narrow down on goals in line with your top priorities. I’ve started, but haven’t finished that process yet.

Opportunity for Writing Your Own Priority based goals

I’m hoping that you’ll join me in this priority based goal setting journey. Goals with Grace has 3 great packages:

Basic Edition for $10

Deluxe Edition for $20

Premium Edition for $35

The premium edition includes lifetime access and 5 video tutorials that I found absolutely essential in helping me think through this for myself. Victoria walks you through the process using a relatable but made up person as an example. The 5 video tutorials are only offered in the premium edition. It is well worth the extra money if you can afford it!

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