{"id":944,"date":"2009-07-30T08:56:03","date_gmt":"2009-07-30T16:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=944"},"modified":"2013-08-20T11:35:37","modified_gmt":"2013-08-20T19:35:37","slug":"what-really-matters-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/what-really-matters-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"What Really Matters To You?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image courtesy of Hidden In France<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

What are your most important priorities in life? What matters to you more than your job, more than your car or house, more than your hobbies and interests? What would you drop everything else for?<\/p>\n

You might answer something like:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0My partner
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0My religion or faith
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0My children
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0My health
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0My spiritual or personal growth<\/p>\n

If your partner was very ill, you\u2019d cancel all your plans to be with him\/her \u2013 even if it meant missing out on an event you were really looking forward to.<\/p>\n

If your boss asked you to do something contrary to a central tenet of your religion, you\u2019d say no \u2013 even if it might scupper your chances of a promotion.<\/p>\n

If your child came home from school in floods of tears, you\u2019d stop doing the housework in an instant \u2013 even if it meant putting up with a grimy bathroom for another day.<\/p>\n

If you had a sudden health scare, you\u2019d start making changes to your lifestyle \u2013 even if you\u2019d never managed to find the time or willpower before.<\/p>\n

If you realised that your job was crushing your spirit, you\u2019d work up the courage to leave \u2013 even if it meant cutting down your spending.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Wait for a Crisis<\/strong><\/p>\n

The problem is, your important priorities \u2013 those things that matter to you more than anything else \u2013 often only get your attention in a crisis. Sudden illness, a stark decision, an unexpected problem, might force you into making a choice. This is why people often make radical health and lifestyle changes after a serious scare, for example.<\/p>\n

In the normal run of life, though, it\u2019s all too easy to let those important priorities drift aside. After all, they rarely seem urgent \u2013 whereas work, chores and leisure-time lures can be pressing.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an oft-quoted maxim that no-one looks back from their deathbed and says \u201cI wish I\u2019d spent more time in the office.\u201d But how often do we end up working late, or obsessing over work whilst at home \u2013 and letting relationships with family members sour?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the same with other areas. Perhaps you feel that your personal growth or your spirituality is currently stagnant: you might have some particular habits or issues that you know you want to work through, but you never find the time and energy. Or maybe it\u2019s your physical health: you\u2019d like to lose a few pounds and get fit, but you never get around to it.<\/p>\n

The problem is, if you don\u2019t take action now, you might find that it\u2019s too late. Those absolute priorities in your life will keep on getting subordinated to the concerns or whims of the moment.<\/p>\n

Your Typical Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

In an average day, how much real, quality time do you spend with your family? How much time do you spend on your own growth and development as a person? How much time do you spend in religious or spiritual observance (if relevant to you)? How much time do you spend actively taking care of your health, both mental and physical?<\/p>\n

I think many of us will find that our answers to those questions are dismaying. A lot of our time and energy ends up spent on tasks that aren\u2019t especially significant to us \u2013 and our relationships and health suffers.
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\nKeep Your Priorities In Sight<\/strong><\/p>\n

So how can you make sure that you focus your attention on what truly matters to you? A tip I picked up from Dave Navarro\u2019s 30 Hours A Day<\/a> is to have a \u201cdashboard\u201d where you write these essential priorities. Keep it in the front of your notebook, or on an index card in your pocket. Look at it at least once a day: this can really help when you\u2019re faced with the choice between slumping in front of the television in the evening, or playing ball outside with your kids.<\/p>\n

If writing down your priorities like this seems a bit cold or odd, try using something symbolic as a reminder. Perhaps you want to wear a piece of jewelry that your partner gave you, or you want to keep a photo of your kids on your desk. Whenever you see it, you\u2019ll be reminded of what truly matters in your life.<\/p>\n

What are your real priorities \u2013 the ones you\u2019d drop everything for? How can you put them back at the center of your life?<\/em>
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Related Articles:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Why You Shouldn’t Care What Others Think About You<\/a><\/p>\n

How To Choose The Right Goals For You<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In an average day, how much real, quality time do you spend with your family? How much time do you spend on your own growth and development as a person? How much time do you spend in religious or spiritual observance (if relevant to you)? How much time do you spend actively taking care of your health, both mental and physical? Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":12782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[129,4641,54,4629,319,161],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Really Matters To You?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"So how can you make sure that you focus your attention on what truly matters to you? A tip I picked up from Dave Navarro\u2019s 30 Hours A Day is to have a \u201cdashboard\u201d where you write these essential priorities. 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