Ever feel like you’re spreading yourself a little too thin?
Sure, you have a list to help you keep up with it. Or maybe lists. Or maybe you have a list to help you keep up with your lists. Or maybe those lists are notebooks. Am I getting warmer?
I’m not talking about task lists – we all have those. I’m talking about priorities. Your priorities. I’m saying you probably have too many priorities.
I was watching a 10-minute video of Jim Collins (Good to Great) from Catalyst, and in the midst of the other sage wisdom from those short moments, he hit me between the eyes.
“If you have more than three priorities, you have NO priorities.”
Ouch. Thank you, but ouch.
A few days later, I saw a another 10-minute video interview with Steve Jobs from D8 about the secrets of Apple’s success. I was really enjoying the “inside scoop” when he hit me with a sucker-punch.
“We carefully choose which horses to ride.”
There it is again.
I’m not the most intelligent guy on the planet, but I can notice when a pattern is emerging. This was one of those “pattern is emerging” alerts on the inside. When I get those alerts, I’ve learned to pay attention to them – especially when they come through people that I respect.
“Are you saying God can speak through Steve Jobs?” Yes, go back and read Numbers 22. It’s possible.
So, my friends, it’s time to make some choices. Time to pick your priorities and really make them your priorities. Time to carefully choose which horses to ride and actually ride those horses. This means that the other things on your list(s) must NOT be priorities and are horses that are not to be ridden. And least not now. Don’t let them gradually “cut in line” until they are edging toward the top again.
Choose wisely. Guard your choices.
Pick three. Any three. Only three.
