My Personal Priorities
begun 4-25-97 revised 4-6-05
SUMMARY
#1 Take good care of
my health and safety.
#2 Pay all of my
bills in full and on time.
#3 Make my home
office (and later offices) into an effective and efficient productivity center.
#4 Stay on a personal
and professional budget.
#5 Make consistent
progress toward fulfilling the call of God on my life.
#6 Gain the skills,
resources, knowledge, assistance, etc. that can assist in achieving these
priorities.
#7 Work on projects
that I enjoy.
#8 Work with people
that I enjoy.
#9 Nurture a few
close friendships.
#10 Save an
appropriate amount of money.
#11 Become and remain
debt free.
#12 Acquire a
balanced and growing investment portfolio.
#A Develop and enjoy
my personal relationship with God.
#B Practice charity
in thoughtful and gracious ways.
EXPLANATIONS
#1 Take good care of
my health and safety.
This priority reminds me to never neglect my physical, mental and emotional health – while also protecting my possessions and property. Without personal health and safety then the other priorities might not be possible and/or enjoyable. Therefore, I need to use the information and understanding that I have currently. In addition, I need to acquire additional inputs as needed.
#2 Pay all of my
bills in full and on time.
This priority reminds me to keep each of my financial commitments and to be prudent about all expenditures. I need to make staying on top of short-term cash flow a top priority; while also dealing with long-term goals. My relative freedom, flexibility and peace of mind depend on keeping the bills paid.
#3 Make my home
office (and later offices) into an effective and efficient productivity center.
This priority reminds me to invest time and energy into making modifications in my work environment; because these investments will pay off in both the short and long term. There are many changes that I can make to improve the organization, lay out and other properties of my office. The aim is to maximize the quality and quantity of the throughputs. Better throughputs will in turn improve and increase the outputs.
#4 Stay on a personal
and professional budget.
This priority reminds me to monitor and control the cash flow. While making money is important; wisely allocating those funds is perhaps more important. It is possible to steadily accomplish various financial objectives at the same time through the effective use of a budget. It is necessary to know where the money has gone, is coming from and will go.
#5 Make consistent
progress toward fulfilling the call of God on my life.
This priority reminds me to live my life in the light of eternity. I choose to seek to please an audience of One, the Lord Jesus Christ. The call of God on my life is the core of the will of God for me in my choices and commitments from day to day. I have had an obsession to know and do the will of God from the time I was born again in 1977. I am accountable to walk in the light of what God has revealed to me over these years. my mind, heart and files are full of plans that will become manifest in the coming years.
#6 Gain the skills,
resources, knowledge, assistance, etc. that can assist in achieving these
priorities.
This priority reminds me that I am not limited to what I currently have. Instead, I can consistently make wise additions and improvements. I will need to acquire education, experience, contacts, etc. in order to approach realizing my full potential.
#7 Work on projects
that I enjoy.
This priority reminds me that it is possible and desirable to choose those projects that are intrinsically enjoyable for me. Thus, I can have payoff both during and after my work. In addition, I will work harder and better on what I am enjoying.
#8 Work with people
that I enjoy.
This priority reminds me to carefully choose those that I enjoy working with when this is possible and appropriate. This invisible chemistry seems to be mutual. Holding to this priority will populate my life with relationships that bring more emotional satisfaction. Also burn out and depression will be less likely.
#9 Nurture a few
close friendships.
This priority reminds me that there is more to life than career and money. As a workaholic I need to be careful to not neglect my social life. I have learned from many pleasant experiences that quality friendships can be very rewarding. And like in most areas of life – quality is better than quantity. it requires much time and energy to create, maintain and nurture a high quality friendship.
#10 Save an
appropriate amount of money.
This priority reminds me to be aware of how much I need to have in savings during each stage of my life and why. Then I need to develop the self-discipline to take the steps so that savings happen. All the books on money management recommend developing a habit of saving. At each stage of life the amount and purpose changes.
#11 Become and remain
debt free.
This priority reminds me debt can be useful and/or destructive. Thankfully I am fairly content with a modest standard of living. It is prudent and desirable to become debt free. That will require discipline and diligence.
#12 Acquire a
balanced and growing investment portfolio.
This priority reminds me that it is possible and important that some of my money be working for me while I am working for more money. It is desirable for my investments to accurately reflect my personality, values and interests. I will thoroughly educate myself about investing. I will work closely with a few advisors that I trust.
The following priorities were not mentioned previously because they are already a major part of my life.
#A Develop and enjoy
my personal relationship with God.
This priority reminds me that I am accountable to God and it is the Lord Jesus Christ that leads, guides, helps, protects, strengthens, blesses, teaches, etc. me daily. My Christian faith is THE central element of my whole life. I am ALWAYS seeking better ways to understand the person of God and apply biblical principles in my life.
#B Practice charity
in thoughtful and gracious ways.
This priority reminds me to think of those who will benefit as the other priorities are accomplished. I love to give. Throughout the month I give time, money, things, books, tapes, information, essays, links, etc. I give these to various individuals, nonprofits and libraries. My life is much richer because I give so much and so often. The deepest motivation to prosper is so that I can give more.