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.
Stories of Growth with Andrea Ware, Aimee Spencer, and Aimee Tate [Episode 27]
Experiencing Great Joy after Great Pain with Faith Ralphs [Episode 26]
Being Honest With Yourself Creates a Springboard for Growth with Kayla Rasmussen [Episode 25]
Principles for Building a Strong Marriage with Cammie Smith [Episode 24]
Creating the Life You Want to Live with Brinn Bagely Chipman [Episode 23]
Building a Strong Foundation of Faith with Suzanne Cook [Episode 22]
Being Converted to Your Vision of Motherhood with Katie Larsen [Episode 21]
Mothering Through Different Seasons Without Guilt with Linsey Jensen [Episode 20]
Parenting and Loving Children Who Are Different From You with Kristen Shaeffer [Episode 19]
Breaking the Chain and Creating a Better Life for Her Children with Korea Tabor [Episode 18]
Reflections on Growth with Jessica Jackson [Episode 17]
Finding a New Way to Measure Growth with Elise Powell [Episode 16]
Becoming Your Best Self with Caitlin Spencer [Episode 15]
Choosing God's Plan with Phoebe Cook [Episode 14]
Enjoying the Present Moment with Meri Schuhmacher-Jackson [Episode 13]
Living Your Personal Mission with Rachel Garrett [Episode 12]
Nurturing Self and Family During Change with Jessica Jackson [Episode 11]
Navigating Motherhood as a Paraplegic with Faith and Optimism with Brittany Fisher [Episode 10]
Making My Own Happiest Place on Earth with Madeline Casey [Episode 09]
Creating a Culture of Unconditional Love with Kim Routsong [EPISODE 08]
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