When life is pulling us in many different directions, it’s easy to get distracted by the many things on our to-do list. At work, creating a list of priorities feels natural. We have short and long-term goals, targets and deadlines. Using that same philosophy in my personal life has helped me find the balance between making conscious choices on what’s adding value to my life and letting go of what isn’t.

In the Global Executive MBA program, it’s even more important to find that balance. To help with that, I’ve come up with three ways of prioritizing what’s important.

1. Combining Your Personal and Professional To-Do Lists

I live by the philosophy that “if everything is a priority, then nothing is a priority.” It doesn’t always seem obvious to apply these principles to daily life, which can have just as much impact on staying on track and accomplishing goals.

By keeping all of my priorities on the same list, I don’t fall into the trap of choosing to complete one more work task at the end of the day over having dinner with my family. If I want to cook a meal or spend an evening playing games, I add that to my to-do list. I discovered my love for golf only after adding ‘learn how to play golf’ to my list. Once something is on the list, there’s no decision-making time.

This approach also applies to how I prioritize my time for community contributions. Initially, I spread myself too thin, diluting my impact and not doing justice to any cause. I learned to prioritize efforts that truly matter to me and where I could make a significant difference. This led me to mentoring STEM students and coaching a national robotics team, where I can create substantial impact and truly enjoy my contributions.

In moments when I’m not sure of my next step, I take a few seconds to pause and refocus before moving forward.  

2. Learning To Say “No”

As someone naturally inclined to assist others, I often find myself agreeing to help more frequently than not. Although I don’t always recognize it in the moment, it’s an easy way to quickly find myself stretched too thin or losing focus. Just because I think I can take on additional tasks, doesn’t always mean I should.  

As difficult as it once was, I’ve gotten better with this skill. I have learned there are an infinite number of ways to say no without sounding blunt or rude. Maybe more importantly, I’ve also learned to remind myself that it’s ok to say no, especially if it helps me focus on what matters most to me.

A great way to say “no” when you really want to help but don’t have the capacity is by setting disciplined and realistic timelines. Saying something as simple as, “I can’t complete it right now, but I can get to it in two weeks. Will that work for you?” This has allowed me to travel more, spend quality time with my family, pursue an additional degree, spend time with my friends and focus on my health — all on my terms, not just when I had the time.   

3. Choosing Accountability Partners

Like most things in life, goals can be easier to reach when there’s support. In addition to prioritizing our goals, it’s just as important to have a support system that can help us stick to the plan. This support system is crucial to keeping life and work on track.

When establishing my support system, I wanted to include people I trust and respect. Whether it’s through humor or constructive feedback, my accountability partners give me their advice in a way they know will resonate most with me. I was fortunate enough to find someone who pushes me to be better and slow down without holding back.

My friends and family have also played that role at different points in my life. Having one or more accountability partners is just as important as making plans, especially in a society with responsibilities that constantly pull you in different directions.

I’m constantly learning new methods from others and applying them to my own life. Creating a habit of investing time and energy into thinking about what is important to me is crucial, but it’s just the beginning. As I continue to grow as a person and a professional, I’ll continue to find new ways to create structure around my goals and lead with intention.