Define Your Priorities, Define Your Life

When I'm having a really busy day, my basic bodily needs go out the window. 

I don't go to the bathroom as often as my bladder wants me to, I ignore eating for long stretches of time, I don't get out of my chair for hours on end, I don't get outside to breathe the fresh air, I don't touch my water bottle though it's right in front of me, I don't even close my eyes because I am staring at the computer so intently. 

The after effects of this behavior vary from minor irritability to an all out crash where I need to pee, eat, drink, and take a nap as quickly as I can, in any order possible, or even at the same time. 

How do you avoid crashing during a busy day?

Prioritize one aspect of your life. As a starting point, pick from the categories below:

• Body
• Mind
• Heart 
• Spirit

Keep in mind one of my favorite Stephen Covey quotes:

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." 

Body

For example, if you prioritize your body, it takes care of the majority of bodily functions you've been ignoring.

• You pee when you need to, no matter what.
• You eat when you need to, no matter what.
• You drink water when you need to, no matter what. 

Mind

Now, if you prioritize your mind, you can avoid it from shutting down.  

• You take a mental break when you need to, no matter what.
• You read or watch something fun when you need to, no matter what.
• You talk about non-work intellectual interests with others, no matter what.

Heart

If you prioritize your heart, you keep kindness, friends, and family at the top of the list.

• You leave on time to see your kids, partner, or friends, no matter what.
• You set a weekly lunch date with your work friends, no matter what.
• You make sure to smile and say hello to coworkers, no matter what.

Spirit

If you prioritize your spirit, you may seek meaning, purpose, or fulfillment every day.

• You exhibit passion for something you really care about, no matter what.
• You meditate, pray, seek solace in a place of religion, no matter what.
• You engage others about "why" you do what you do, no matter what.

Make your own "no matter what" list

For you, some of the bullets above may be more appropriate in one category over another. 

It's up to you what you choose to prioritize. You can define your "no matter what" list however you like, but you need to define it in a way that makes sure that it's a priority in your life. 

The hope is your work, hobbies, friends, family are all part of the body, mind, heart, spirit balance, but that isn't always the case. Situations--money, obligations, needs--don't always allow for it. 

But you can work up to it slowly. 

Eventually, by prioritizing all four categories, you achieve a balance that feels right for yourself, even if not your situation.

What do you prioritize in your life right now? How do you make it a habit? What is your definition of balance? Share your thoughts with me over email. These emails only come to me and are never shared with others. In fact, they often help me come up with ideas for future posts.