It’s important for those of us who struggle with executive functioning challenges like ADHD to identify our priorities because there are just not enough hours in the day to do everything we could possibly want to do.
Without establishing our priorities, many of us respond in the moment. We shift our attention to whatever is most pressing or exciting at the moment. In order to actively suppress that urge, we need to identify and commit ourselves to certain priority items.
Based on a system originally developed by United States President Dwight Eisenhower, our downloadable “Priority To-Do-List” is for adults who hate to schedule their time but need to prioritize and list out their most important tasks on a daily basis. We have simplified President Eisenhower’s idea to come up with a “Priority To-Do List”: Here’s how it works.
Make a Simple To-Do List
At the beginning of each week think about all the things you need to complete.
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List the next steps on your current projects and tasks at work (and home).
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Next, add time to build important relationships, exercise, and take care of yourself.
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Finally, add the things you want to do in your free-time.
Understand How to Prioritize
Consider two main things when prioritizing or deciding what tasks to do first.
(1) Deadlines
As you consider everything that you want to do, ask yourself, “When is this task due?” Use these categories:
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Due Now (tasks due this week)
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Due Later (tasks due in the coming weeks) or Not Due (some tasks don’t have a due date)
(2) The Type of Task
As you consider each activity you want to do, ask yourself, “Is this a major or minor task in my life?
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Major Tasks are activities that have the biggest impact on your job or your life.
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Minor Tasks are activities that have the least impact on your job or your life.
When considering major tasks, don’t forget to make time to build your important relationships (family, friends). Also, remember that taking time to exercise, play a sport, or play a musical instrument results in long-term well-being.
Prioritize Your Tasks
Download and use the Priority To Do List to list your daily or weekly tasks in the following order of priority.
Major Tasks Due Now
These should be at the top of your list and include those activities that have a big impact on your job or life and have an immediate due date. Examples include: reports due tomorrow, meetings scheduled this week, parts of projects due this week, or chores at home that need to be completed this week.
Major Tasks with No Due Date or Due Later
This group includes activities that have a big impact on your life and have a later due date or no due date. Examples might include building friendships, spending quality time with your family, exercise, or long-term projects.
Minor Tasks Due Now
The third group of priority items are tricky! These activities immediately demand your attention but they may not necessarily be important to your job or your life right now. Examples include phone calls, text messages, or e-mails that don’t have to do with your job or goals in life at a specific moment in time.
Minor Tasks with No Due Date or Due Later
The items at the bottom of your priority list should include activities that may be “nice to do someday” but are not important to your job or goals at this moment in time. Examples might include reorganizing your sock drawer, watching paint dry, watching TV, aimlessly searching the internet, or aimlessly scrolling through your Facebook page.
Please Don’t Misunderstand!
I’m NOT saying you can’t have time to relax or “veg-out” or do anything fun. You just need to know where these things go in your list of priorities. To stick to your priorities, you could use the items in this group as a reward for completing the items in the previous groups.
Schedule Time to Complete Your Priorities
Once you have set your priorities, it is important to schedule the time to complete these tasks in priority order. Figure out how much time you think the tasks will take and double it. Next set aside enough time on your block schedule to complete the tasks that are your priorities.
Consider Other Options
The priority planner doesn’t work for everyone, so there are other options to consider when prioritizing.
Need Help Applying This Concept?
If you need help prioritizing your tasks, call 817.421.8780 or email us today!
© 2010-2019, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.
