“The key is not to prioritize the schedule, but to schedule the priorities” -Stephen Covey

My husband would take over baby duties to allow me to get a few hours of sleep before my 20-hour work days.

Before I knew it, I was only seeing my son when he was ushered onto my lap for feedings.

Every day I had the intention of wrapping up “a few last things” and spending time with them. 

But instead, one thing bled to the next as I moved from this demand, to that fire, to the newest emergency.

In my heart, my boys were the most important things to me.

But my schedule reflected something different.

One evening after feeding, my husband came to “collect” my son. 

He held onto me not wanting to let go.

“Come on, mommy has to work now”

He looked at me with his little sad little face and began to cry as Daddy took him away…

…and I completely lost it.

What the hell was I doing?

You can say what you value most, but your schedule reflects the truth.

My schedule was not going to magically open up with a “family” time slot. 

It was time for me to set boundaries and MAKE the time. 

If they were a priority to me, then my schedule needed to reflect that. 

I needed to treat it with at least the same respect I would for a meeting with a stranger.

Stop waiting for the mythical someday

We have Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. 

There is NO someday. 

If something matters to you, then make time for it. Make it real, put it on your calendar the same way you would schedule your dentist. 

Our time is finite, so make sure you’re spending it on what matters most.

I know our schedules can easily become overwhelming, leaving little time for the things that matter most outside of work. 

However, the truth is that our schedules reflect our true priorities.

If we want to make time for family, friends, or other important aspects of our lives, we need to prioritize them and make them part of our schedule.

One way to do this is reigning in what we focus on in our business.

Instead of consulting a never-ending ever-growing “To Do” list, get laser focused and super clear on what matters most right now.

In SBD, we do this every quarter by setting 90-day goals for our business.

By zeroing in on a shorter timeframe, we can prioritize the most important tasks and create a sense of urgency and accountability without the chaos.

Benefits of Setting 90-Day Goals

• Increased Focus: Setting shorter-term goals can help you stay focused on what matters most and avoid distractions.
• Better Decision Making: When you have a clear goal in mind, it’s easier to make decisions that align with that goal.
• Increased Productivity: By focusing on the most important tasks, you can increase your productivity and accomplish more in less time.
• Sense of Accomplishment: Achieving a goal can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep going.

Steps to Implement 90-Day Goals

1. Identify Your Priorities: Determine what matters most to you and what you want to achieve in the next 90 days.
2. Break it Down: Break your goals down into smaller, actionable tasks that you can focus on each week.
3. Create a Schedule: Make time for your 90-day goals by scheduling them into your calendar like you would a meeting or appointment.
4. Stay Accountable: Share your goals with someone else and create regular check-ins to help keep you accountable.
5. Celebrate Your Wins: When you achieve a goal or complete a task, take time to celebrate your accomplishments and stay motivated.

Setting 90-day goals can help you stay focused and productive while also creating space for the things that matter most outside of work. 

By prioritizing what’s important and making it part of your schedule, you can achieve more and create a more fulfilling life both personally and professionally.