There are so many things on our to-do lists these days that it might be difficult to do them all. Prioritization is essential. It may be more difficult to say than do, especially when everything seems to be screaming for your attention as priority number one.

If you are the project manager, the success of your project and the level of commitment from your team will be impacted by your ability to effectively manage your workload. You must learn how to prioritize things according to their importance and urgency. We suggest these methods:

• Choose the right goals. Without goals, you may struggle to find the path from where you are right now to where you want to be. Determine what’s attainable and what’s not? Think hard about why you want to achieve the goal. Is the result going to be worth the investment? S.M.A.R.T. — Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely — should be the acronym for each goals you establish.

• • Specific: The more specific your goals are, the more likely you are to achieve them.
  • Measurable: Your objectives should be quantifiable. Can you identify important milestones to reach on your path to success? If you don’t, it’ll be impossible to tell if you’re on track or not.
  • Attainable: Is your goal attainable for you? If the answer is no, your purpose must be re-defined.
  • Relevant: A relevant goal is one that is important to you. Consider what you truly desire. Just because other people want something doesn’t mean you should. Are you willing to put in the effort required to reach a goal?
  • Timely: Goals that lack planning and timetables are condemned to failure. It’s simple to fantasize about the future, but if you don’t take action, you’ll never get there. Make sure that every goal you establish has a deadline. You can always make adjustments if you fall behind on your deadline.
• Create a strategy. This is critical to achieving your goal. Without a plan, your goal has little likelihood of success. Make a general summary of your goal and include facts such as date, cost, and place. Determine where to start, and then create a thorough step-by-step plan of the essential actions required to reach the goal. Make deadlines if you want, but keep them reasonable in order to minimize disappointment.
• Maintain consistency while remaining adaptable. This is the most difficult task. Finding a good moment to begin is frequently a bottleneck in the process. There will never be a perfect moment to achieve your goals. Unexpected events might distract you and cause procrastination, but they can also keep you motivated. If feasible, keep people updated on your progress. The strategy should also be adaptable so that you can make changes as you go.
• Regularly evaluate. Re-examine your goals on a regular basis to confirm that it is still what you truly desire. Recognize and appreciate minor victories along the road. If necessary, modify it, but keep your main goal in mind. Work hard and keep your eyes on the prize.

Remember that determining priorities starts with a mindset shift. By setting priorities and aligning it with your goals, you will be able to maintain a clear focus on what is most important to you and taking the right steps to ensure that you do.

Discuss Your Project? 
mhill@bigrocksengineering.com
(314) 649-0610

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