{"id":16680,"date":"2018-03-02T10:09:07","date_gmt":"2018-03-02T18:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gettingthingsdone.com\/?p=16680"},"modified":"2018-08-30T15:29:58","modified_gmt":"2018-08-30T22:29:58","slug":"priorities-and-gtd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gettingthingsdone.com\/2018\/03\/priorities-and-gtd\/","title":{"rendered":"Priorities and GTD"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Challenges with priorities and GTD<\/h2>\n

A GTD Connect<\/a> member asked:<\/strong>\"\"
\nI am having a challenge understanding priorities and GTD. I have at least 100 projects, from LARGE to little. Now you break down those projects to single actions which at least triples your actions. So I might have about 300 single actions to be done.<\/p>\n

Wouldn\u2019t the first thing to do be according to priority? The LARGEST and Loudest? The one that is going to give you the largest return, like not get fired on the job?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m still working on perspective, because I know that has a lot to do with it. But I just wanted a little help on the day-to-day, minute-by-minute tactical level.<\/p>\n

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How to decide what to do<\/h2>\n

GTD Coach Kelly Forrister responded:<\/strong>
\n1\/ Context<\/strong> is first since it will always be required to do what you want to do. For example, if your computer is required to write an email, but you don\u2019t have it with you, then you can\u2019t take that action. If being @Home is required to mow your lawn, but you\u2019re not home, you can\u2019t take that action.<\/p>\n

2\/ Time available<\/strong> is also a limitation in that if you don\u2019t have the time to take an action, it won\u2019t matter if it\u2019s high priority or not. If you only have ten minutes, but you need an hour to take an action, that will eliminate some choices.<\/p>\n

3\/ Resources<\/strong> will make a difference in terms of what you have the energy and resources to do. If your brain is toast, good chance you won\u2019t want to do that high priority thing anyway, since you won\u2019t have the mental horsepower for it. Ever have that feeling that your brain works better\/worse at different times of the day? That\u2019s resources. You will naturally make different choices.<\/p>\n

4\/ When the first three limitations have narrowed down your choices, then it\u2019s time for strategic thinking: priority<\/strong>. What will give you the biggest payoff to do in this moment? Maybe in one moment that\u2019s doing what prevents getting fired and in another doing what makes you the most money. And the next day it might be what will make your boss happy and the next what will make your spouse or partner happy.<\/p>\n

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Two questions that can help clarify priority<\/h2>\n