Have you done those exercises where you write out your priorities or values? It is easy for me to put on paper what I care about, but where are my time and energy really going?
In this season of survival mode for our family, we have really stripped away a lot of what we usually do, and it is easy for me to say that we aren't very consistent in things that I wish we were better at.
But as I sat pondering this one morning during my scripture study, I realized that I actually AM consistent at some things, even in survival mode, and those things are my true priorities. I wrote three different lists to help me get a more realistic picture of what I care about with not just my words but my actions, and then I evaluated and made changes from there.
In this week's episode, I walk you through the entire process, using my answers as an example to get you started. Once again, I just used a Think and Process page in my Thriving in Motherhood Planner for this exercise.
3 Questions to Determine Your True Priorities:
What am I consistent at?
What am I almost consistent at but drop the ball quickly when things are hard?
What is done occasionally that you wish was more consistent?
Once you've written your lists, ask these follow-up questions to help you evaluate and make changes:
Is there anything obvious you would like to change?
Is there an easy swap from something that is more consistent that doesn't matter as much to something that is less consistent and matters more?
What needs more accountability?
What could you create a system around so that it doesn't require as much from you?
I realized that a lot of the things that I drop in a hard season, I am pretty good at picking up again once I have available energy. But there are some things that are done more occasionally that I realized I need to create systems around to give my kids more responsibility to be consistent in certain areas.
After going through this process, it clarified to me where I need to devote more time, energy, and resources to make the biggest impact on consistently living out our priorities.
Instilling Courage and Confidence in our Girls with Amy Klein [Episode 70]
Priorities for My Parenting and Marriage When I'm in Survival Mode [Episode 69]
Living a Slow, Intentional Life with Brandi McIntosh [Episode 68]
In Pursuit of Peace with Lauresa Larson [Episode 67]
Key Questions to Ask in the Evening [Episode 66]
Using Your Gifts to Bless Your Family and the World with Erin Morley [Episode 65]
Finding a Thriving Mindset in Survival Circumstances [Episode 64]
Finding Your Purpose with Kristin Brown [Episode 63]
Living Your Legacy with Emily McDermott [Episode 62]
Living into Joy with Jennifer Pepito [Episode 61]
Key Questions to Ask Yourself in the Morning [Episode 60]
It's About the Feeling We Create in Our Homes with April Perry [Episode 59]
Intentionally Building a Community with Ashley Stinson [Episode 58]
Creating a Laundry System that Works for You [Episode 57]
Making Faith a Priority with Alissa Hankin [Episode 56]
Create Your own Personal Mission Statement with Madeline Casey [Episode 55]
Synergizing in Daily Life and with Major Decisions with Madeline Casey [Episode 54]
Seeking to Understand and Thinking Win-Win with Madeline Casey [Episode 53]
One Year Celebration and What's Next for the Podcast with Jessica Jackson [Episode 52]
Expanding Your Circle of Influence with Madeline Casey [Episode 51]
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