This is one of the most common complaints in the workplace today: everything seems important and you never have enough time. According to the report L’Anatomy du Travail by Asana, ” 74 % of workers say they feel obliged to be productive rather than strategic ».
This challenge is particularly marked in the environment at the frantic pace, where the pressure to do more and more prevails over the ability to make wise choices. When employees struggle to prioritize their priorities, stress and exhaustion set up, leading to failures in achieving objectives and a loss of strategic direction. And when managers and teams are constantly reacting rather than thinking, innovation is suffering from it. So how can professionals improve their ability to establish priorities when requests keep growing? Experts offer solutions to avoid the emergency trap and master this essential competence.
Why is the establishment of priorities more complex than it seems?
Many consider the establishment of priorities as a simple question of discipline or time management. However, basically, it is above all a decision -making competence which requires judgment, perspective and a clear vision of what really matters, both for the immediate task and for the whole context. Michael Bungay Stanier, author of The Coaching Habitexplained to me that leaders often confuse activity and progress. “” We focus on the job well done and miss the opportunity to do what is really important “He said. The problem is not a lack of will to prioritize, but rather an inability to ask the right questions about what really deserves attention.
How can managers clarify the establishment of priorities at work?
Ambiguity is one of the main obstacles to an effective priorities. When the objectives are vague, everything seems to have the same importance, thus creating confusion and stress among employees, who no longer know what to favor. David Burkus, organizational psychologist and author of Leading From Anywhereexplained to me that one of the best things that leader can do is in addition to what is success. “” People need more than just tasks. They need decisions to make “He said. This clarity allows teams to make informed choices and align their efforts on the essential results.
When organizations define clear priorities and re -examine them regularly, it becomes easier for everyone to distinguish the urgency from truly strategic work. This also encourages a better delegation, collaboration and time management.
Why does emotion play a key role in establishing your priorities?
Emotion plays a key role in establishing priorities at work, much more than you think. Even when the objectives are clear, emotions can complicate the hierarchy of tasks. Sometimes people accept missions to be useful, avoid conflicts or prove their value. But to say yes without reflection leads to an overload of work and to unsatisfactory results. Laura Huang, professor at Harvard and author of Edge: Turning Adversity Into Advantageexplained to me how professionals can manage their perception and use emotional intelligence in the face of pressures related to prioritization. “” You cannot always control what is present for you, but you can influence the way others perceive your value “She said. This advice is crucial for those who feel obliged to accept everything to preserve their reputation. Prayer effectively is to focus on what really matters.
Prioritization habits at work: How to break the cycle of constant emergency
Many companies are evolving in constant pressure, but it is crucial to remember that what seems urgent is not always important. Managers who confuse urgency and importance may promote a culture of agitation to the detriment of the real impact. To remedy this, the teams must adopt questioning reflexes before embarking on a task: what is the cost of not acting immediately? What priorities do we abandon by accepting this task? Do we really solve the right problem?
-Although these questions may seem to slow down action, they actually make it possible to better structure efforts. When they are systematically integrated, they help teams get out of responsiveness and focus on what really creates value.
What happens when employees learn to better prioritize their priorities
When employees learn to better prioritize their priorities, the effects are quickly visible. The meetings are shortened, the objectives become clearer, and the impression of running after time disappears. But above all, it is confidence that comes out of it.
Released from the anxiety of accepting everything that arises, those who have the possibility of prioritizing gain more speaking, ask for clarifications and concentrate their efforts where it really matters. They no longer act out of fear, but choose their priorities with reflection.
Michael Bungay Stanier underlined this essential aspect during our exchange: ” Curiosity is the first step in establishing priorities. When people wonder “why this?” Instead of hasten to answer “and then?”, They get closer to a truly significant work. »
In a world where requests are constantly increasing, the establishment of priorities becomes a key competence. The leaders who make it a competence to teach, rather than a simple individual habit, place their teams on the path of success. It starts with clarity, goes through courageous conversations, and ends with the confidence necessary to focus on the essentials. Because, basically, if everything seems urgent, nothing is really. The most effective professionals are not those who do everything, but those who choose to discernment.
A contribution from Diane Hamilton for Forbes US – translated by Lisa Deleforterie
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