But This One Is Top Priority
Have you noticed how everything is a priority for some people? You encounter that boss that wants you to do something and says “this is your top priority” only to have them come back later with another task that is now the top priority. Everything coming from them becomes the top priority. When I was part of the machine called Corporate America, I would question the boss when they gave top priority to everything. Remember, priority is defined as - something requiring attention and completion before other things. “So which item is top priority…well they all are…by the nature of the definition of priority, they can’t all have top priority…well they are all important and need to be done so they all have top priority…” Circular debates can be so much fun. My experience with those assigning top priority to everything is that they tend to be limited in their own skills of task prioritization and time management. Something sits on their desk until the witching hour and now it is your problem. I like the following phrase: “Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.”
There are bosses and just people in general in your life that will attempt to make everything a top priority. They will continue you this behavior as long as you allow them to step on or over your boundaries. You know when your boundaries are being challenged as you feel it in the form of frustration, irritation and overall state of being uncomfortable. When you feel your boundaries being challenged, push back. By engaging the other party to think before assigning top priority to everything, you are helping them learn to prioritize and keep some semblance of sanity in your life.
Rodney - Prioritizing My Behind Off - And That May Take a While
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