The Key to Getting Stuff Done: How to Define What's Important
Thank you to our sponsors who keep this newsletter free to the reader:
Download my FREE mini course, Break the Procrastination Cycle, and start living life with intention.
Learn the toolkit that's helped hundreds of neurodivergent adults manage life with clarity and confidence.
Hi Friends,
Do you find it difficult to prioritize what's truly important?
With practice, I learned how to confidently select my Most Important Tasks (MITs) each day. But, the skill of planning and prioritizing, did not come naturally.
My to-do list used to ignite an insane amount of stress. I used to stare at it each morning in a panic, my mind spiraling out of control...
How am I going to get this all done?
Where do I even begin?
There’s so much to do!
Last year, I shared my four-step process for planning and prioritizing my day. I use it every night. However, last week, members of our Adult EF Skills 101 cohort voiced a common frustration:
“I’ve tried the Eisenhower Matrix and your strategy, but I don’t know how to choose my Most Important Tasks (MITs). Everything feels important and urgent!”
I spent last week reflecting on this, asking myself, "When I look at my to-do's, how do I know what's most important?"
Now, I think I have the answer: you must define what ‘important’ means to you.
Today, I will teach you how to determine what is truly important in your life. Let’s dive in.
Why Does Everything Feel Important When You Have ADHD?
For neurodivergent adults, prioritizing is especially hard. ADHD impacts executive function, the part of our brain that helps us organize, focus, and plan.
We all have executive function strengths and weaknesses. For many adults with ADHD, the skill of prioritization isn't natural. While it would be nice to look at a list and easily identify our starting point, everything on the list seems important!
To make prioritization even more challenging, it is an executive function skill that doesn't exist on its own. To prioritize, we also need other executive functions like:
planning,
working memory,
and emotional regulation.
The struggle is real.
What do People Do Wrong When Trying to Prioritize?
When trying to prioritize, many of us fall into some common traps.
Scattered tasks across multiple to-do lists
Some on paper, some in apps, and others in our inboxes. When you have to-do lists in all these places, do you really have a to-do list?
Unclear, unactionable, and unrealistic goals
Vague goals like “work on the report” leave us guessing where to begin. Other examples include:
Go to the gym
Make more money
Have more free time
Trying to prioritize and organize to-dos in their head
Instead of offloading our to-dos onto paper or a digital list, we let them swirl around in our minds, creating stress and anxiety.
Aligning what’s important with what society says is important
You don’t need to answer every email immediately, say yes to every weekend plan, or be productive all day.
Instead, create your definition of ‘important’. Once you write your definition, you’ll have a framework that makes selecting daily MITs much easier.
How to Define What's Important in Your Life
Step 1: Set a goal for the month
Before you start, make sure you’ve set a goal for the month. If you haven’t, take time to do so. If you're unsure where to start, try my free Goal Setting Framework.
Step 2: Journal to uncover real priorities
Once your goal is set, take 5-10 minutes to journal your thoughts on these questions:
Which core values matter most?
What gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment?
What tasks, responsibilities, or relationships impact my success, well-being, or happiness most?
What commitments have I made to others?
Step 3: Put Your Definition into Action
Once you define ‘important’ use it to guide your MITs. Each evening, when you look at your to-do list and plan for tomorrow, ask:
Which tasks align with my definition of ‘important’?
Those are your MITs for the next day.
If relationships matter most, replying to that text from your friend is an MIT.
If financial health is a priority, reviewing your budget or paying a bill is an MIT.
If career growth is important, focusing on that project due next week is an MIT.
Summary
When you define ‘important’ for yourself, prioritizing becomes easier and more intentional. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you’ll easily identify tasks that align with your values and goals.
Each day, you’ll tackle your to-do list with purpose and confidence.
To write your definition of ‘important’ reflect on these questions:
Which core values matter most to me?
What gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment?
What tasks, responsibilities, or relationships impact my success, well-being, or happiness most?
What commitments have I made to others?
Use your definition as a framework to identify your Most Important Tasks (MITs) for the day.
P.S. Free Mini Course: Break the Procrastination Cycle
Procrastination can seriously impact your mental health, physical well-being, and financial freedom.
My free mini-course, Break the Procrastination Cycle, teaches the 4 emotions behind procrastination, how to spot them, and a proven toolkit to manage them—all in just 30 minutes
If you, or someone you care about, struggle with procrastination, this course is here to help. You can access it for free by clicking here.
About the Author
Eric Kaufmann is a Professional Educational Therapist and Certified Executive Function Coach. He is the Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, an online adult executive function coaching company that guides adults in overcoming disorganization, procrastination, and productivity roadblocks so they can unlock their potential. He is also the founder of Elevate Learning Solutions, an Educational Therapy practice located in San Clemente, CA, that supports neurodivergent students in becoming independent and confident.