One of the culprits leading to overwhelm when we try to determine what we want out of life is that we want a LOT of things! Despite the popular notion that ‘you can have it all’ these days, guess what - you can’t really have it all. But you can have everything you want. But first, you have to decide what those things are.

Yesterday, I asked you to make a list of 2-3 things for each of 7 different categories that you would be, do or have if you were living the life you REALLY want to live. If you did that, you now have a list 14-21 of items you are very passionate about. Now, it’s time to prioritize them.

This is where I’m really glad I was a computer programmer for 20 years. Computers are not emotional (yet…lol) so sorting lists according to a criteria is a fairly straightforward task. I know how, as a programmer, to tell an inanimate, unemotional computer to prioritize a list, so guess what? I’m going to share that method with you today. There is only one part of it that is subjective, and I’ll point that part out to you and give you some tips on how to handle it.

Ready? Here we go.

List A
List your 14-21 items on a piece of paper vertically without worrying about which segment of your life they’re from. (Yes, I realize you probably know that a list is written vertically, but I’m in programmer mode here, and computers don’t know anything but what you tell them, so I’m being as explicit as possible. Don’t be offended, ok? This is me being as clear as possible. )

List B
On a separate piece of paper, number lines 1 through however many items you have. Leave the lines blank.

Here’s the ‘program’:

1. Mentally label the first item that is not crossed out on List A Most Important. (The first time through, there won’t be any items crossed out.)
2. Compare Most Important to the next item on the list. If no more items, go to #9.
3. Decision: Is Most Important really more important to you than that item?
4. If yes, go back to #2. Else, continue.
5. Mentally replace Most Important with that item. Go back to #2.
6. Write the item that is currently Most Important in the next open slot on List B.
7. Cross Most Important off of List A.
8. Go back to #1.
9. Write this item in the last open slot on List B.

Notes about the Decision: This is the subjective part of the program. This is a judgment call for you. If you have trouble deciding, ask yourself, “If I could have only one of these things, not both, which one would bring me more joy?” Choose that one and continue with the ‘program’. If at the end, your gut tells you List B is a little off, this is where it happened. That’s ok - you’re human, not a computer, so just take List B through the program and see how it changes. Keep at it until List B truly reflects your priorities. You’ll know, because when you look at it, you’ll feel it in your gut.

Another thing to remember: When trying to decide between two items, don’t think that you have to give up the one you don’t choose. You don’t! You’re just putting them in order of importance, that’s all. So, just for that decision, you have to choose which one is more important and which one you’ll come back to later.

I’d love to hear from you about how this goes, especially if you’ve never used a ‘program’ to prioritize things before. Leave a comment, ok?