By John Valentik, MS, CSCS, NASM-PES, FMS

We all have priorities. Whether or not we can articulate them to ourselves on a regular basis is another question. The featured image for this article is a photo from last weekend when we visited our close friends in Charleston, SC. While my daily priorities look different, I think this photo exemplifies the importance of asking yourself, “what’s important to me, and how do I make it happen?” Friends and family are vital to us, so there you have it!

Prioritization is essential for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. One of the biggest challenges I’ve seen as a wellness professional over the past 16 years is the ability of people to prioritize in life what is truly important to them. This goes for fitness, nutrition, mental health, free time, finances, relationships, spirituality, you name it. Effective prioritization can help you manage your time, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Let’s look at this further and discuss some practical steps in improving the process.

Prioritization is the process of determining the importance and urgency of tasks and activities. It involves making conscious decisions about what to focus on and what to defer or delegate. By prioritizing effectively, you can ensure that your energy and time are spent on activities that align with your goals and values, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People gives a great example with the breakdown of the 4 quadrants presented below. Quadrants 3 and 4 are dangerous and can be huge time wasters. Aim to spend most of your time in quadrant 2, and while time spent in quadrant 1 is okay, minimize tasks here by planning ahead.

Another powerful method to achieve this is the ABCDE method from Brian Tracy’s book, Eat That Frog. Below is a quick clip with my explanation earlier in the week.

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In a nutshell, A’s are a must do and are critical to your success and well-being. B’s should be done and are important but not urgent. C’s would be nice to do, are enjoyable, but have no consequences if not completed. D’s mean delegate, and E’s mean eliminate!

Applying the ABCDE Method to Your Life

As a wellness professional, I recommend incorporating the ABCDE method into your daily routine to enhance your well-being. Here’s how you can apply it:

1. Identify Your Goals: Start by defining your goals. These could include physical health, mental well-being, career success, and/or personal growth. Having clear goals helps you prioritize tasks that align with your objectives. A line I love from the book, The One Thing, is “purpose drives priority which drives productivity.” Having that clear sense of purpose initiates a snowball effect of positivity in your life.
2. Categorize Your Tasks: List all your daily tasks and categorize them using the ABCDE method. Be honest about the importance and urgency of each task. This will help you focus on activities that truly matter.
3. Create a Schedule: Allocate time for A and B tasks in your daily schedule. Ensure that you have enough time for self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and relaxation.
4. Review and Adjust: Regularly review your task list and adjust your priorities as needed. Create your to-do list the night before so you aren’t reacting to everything that happens when you wake up. Even so, be willing to adapt to new circumstances.

Effective prioritization is key to achieving a balanced and healthy lifestyle. By considering the four quadrants and using the ABCDE method, you can focus on tasks that align with your goals, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Remember, prioritization is a skill that takes practice. Start small, be consistent, and watch as your life transforms for the better!