When you hear (or see) the word “priorities”, what is your first thought?
Mine is anxiety, because I know mine aren’t really in order. It’s not that I’m unorganized or unfocused, I just know that I’m not where I want to be and I don’t know how to get there.
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There are only 168 hours in a week, 56 of which should be spend sleeping, and that we need to be aware of how we’re spending our time and energy.
When listing out my priorities and how I spend my weekly hours, there is a huge disconnect between where I’m currently at and where I’d like to be.
Current Priorities (listed in order of actual time devoted)
- Full-time job (45-55 hours)
- Sleep (35-45 hours)
- Housework/errands (14-20 hours)
- Blogging/side projects (10-15 hours)
- Part-time job (8-12)
- Marathon training (7-13 hours)
- Family/Friends (5-10 hours)
- Relaxing/reading/watching TV (6-8 hours)
- Searching for a FT job I actually enjoy (4-6 hours)
Desired Priorities (listed in order of personal importance)
- Family/Friends
- Sleep
- Marathon training
- Blogging
- Part-time job
- Relaxing/reading/watching TV
- Searching for a FT job I actually enjoy
- housework/errands
- Full-time job
What’s wrong with this picture?
Well, in reality, what’s wrong with it is money.
Money is what keeps me tied to the full-time job, what keeps me devoting the majority of my time each week to something I don’t enjoy.
I have to eat. I have to pay my bills. I have to be a responsible adult.
It’s the American way.
Yet, when I compare those two lists, I feel a sickening sensation roll over me.
I’ve written about this many times, and I know it’s probably getting old, but it just troubles me that so many of us spend so many years working jobs we don’t like just to fit a certain mold.
I have to ask myself – what’s the point?
There are so many stories out there of people who’ve turned their lives around.
Caitlin quit her job, pursued her passion, started a movement and became an author.
My friend and fellow blogger, Lisa, is going back to school to do something she’s always wanted.
This guy quit his job to literally walk across the country, just because.
I know it can be done, it just takes courage and determination. True courage and fearless determination.
I’ve given myself a cut-off point of January 1st 2011 to change my life and stop living in complacency. It terrifies me that I’ll fail, but it terrifies me so much more not to try.
I know I can’t go on living a life that minimizes the things I love and maximizes the things I don’t. Life matters too much to work yourself into the ground.
What are your priorities?
Do your actual priorities line up with your desired ones?
I gave up my job as an accountant to pursue my dream of becoming a dentist (what, that’s not your dream job? haha). However, I’m not sure that the amount of time I spend on things can always reflect my priorities.
Work is a necessity for most of us, so finding something you like is important, since you’re spending a lot of time at it. But being able to pay your bills, take care of your dependents, and do the other things you enjoy (for me, travel is a big one) means that I will probably spend more time at work than what I might like. Because much as I enjoy dentistry (I’m still in dental school right now), I know there will be parts that I won’t like and I know there are lots of things I’d much rather be doing any day of the week (like traveling, taking my kids to the zoo, running, biking, watching a movie, etc.)
Good luck in your quest!
I think it’s so awesome that you did that. You’re yet another inspiration for me today!!
Loved this post. I think we all feel this things at some point in our lives–except, sadly, most people don’t do anything about those nagging feelings that nudge at you telling you should be doing something different with your lives.
I’m excited to see where this no complacency takes you! I’m sure somewhere amazing!
I’m excited to see too, haha. And impatient…
I love the talk of priorities around the blog world!! I think I am going to post about this too, because it is so important.
Currently I think my priorities are in order. My number 1 priority is to spend time with people I care about, and that is what I spend the majority of my time doing.
I’ve given myself until the end of Nov 2010, and then I’m up and out and moving to a new city.
That’s awesome! I would say move to OKC and hang out with me, but I actually like you haha. It’s an okay city, but you know..
Not every one is meant to fit the “mold” and really, who wants to? I say go for it girl and don’t look back. You won’t regret it. Good luck!
My top priority as of next week is my university studies (I have waited a LONG time to go back to school), spending time with the people who are closest to me, and finding the beauty in life instead of just existing.
Good luck with school! I’m so happy for you that it’s finally coming together!
I look up to Caitlin so much for changing her life. She stopped complaining and did what she had to do. I look up to YOU for giving yourself a cut off date, that is so inspirational. Frightening, yes, inspirational, even more so!
I have started to change/progress my work life to where I want to take it. I am on a scary path too, but I know it is the right one long term!
i made a conscious decision a few months ago to stop living in fear about money. it was a tough one, b/c i rarely work AND my husband is unemployed as well. w/o going too much into it, i’m happy to say that we have been living a very full and rich (pun intended) life and the money/opportunities just somehow flow. the only thing that isn’t there is the stress.
I’ve dreamed about giving up my job – but in all reality, my current profession lends itself pretty well to my priorities. I want to help people, I want to make an impact – and as a teacher, I feel like I am doing that. Of course I’d like to hang out with my friends and family all day long and just exercise and blog and relax, but like you said – money is a factor, too. Maybe when I become disgustingly wealthy (on a teacher’s salary??! Probably not.) I can quit my job, volunteer all day long to help people out, and spend the rest of my time doing whatever.I.please. Until then…work trumps most things.
Well realizing that you’re priorities aren’t straight is one of the first steps to making a change! I believe in you and know you can do anything you want. If you don’t want to stay at your full time job this quit! It sounds so easy, when in reality it’s definitely not. Just have faith and God won’t let you fail I promise! First and foremost you should be happy so go out looking for it!!
Great post! I really like your determination and passion for living you life to the fullest. I need to make some changes as well
Sometimes the idea that I only have two years until I have to “figure my life out” freaks me out half to death… How can I be old enough for that much responsibility? But, I truly believe that keeping my priorities in mind will lead me the right way. I know that my family, friends, health are important to me. As long as I have those, then life is good.
hey girlie!
LOVE this post!! I know that you can follow your dreams and be happy! go for it girl, you are the most important person in your life; followed quickly by your family&friends. Live each day for you chica! I send you nothing but support for your search for happiness! xoxo!
another great post! i reckon this is something a lot of people struggle with (including myself.) we want to follow our passions, but the “not knowing” is oh so scary. you’re totally right though, you gotta go for it! why spend your life doing something you hate? and you don’t wanna wake up 50 years from now wishing you pursued….whatever. (i think i’m talking more to myself here
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and have never commented before; but I just thought this was such a great post! In fact I posted something similar on my own blog today with a plan for the next two years to change my life. Congrats on taking the first steps, I can’t wait to see all the great things that are to come for you.
I LOVE this. I’ve been doing the same thing (reviewing my priorities) and will VERY soon be making a big change. Obviously having a baby is a big change but my husband and I have decided that I’ll be able to quite my job at that time. This means that not only will I be able to focus on raising our child but I can pursue other outlets in life and do things I haven’t been able to due to working all the time.
Way to go sister. I can’t wait to hear about the changes you’re making.
Yay that’s great! You’re going to be a great mom
Awesome post girl. I think it is really exciting and brave to put your dreams out there. And you’re right- life definitely matters too much to do something that makes you happy.
My priorities are-
-family/friends
-sleep
-health (running/yoga)
-career
-reading
-relaxing
-blogging
THIS IS EXCELLENT!
I love my job so much, but another opportunity came up to long ago and I didn’t take it because I’m comfortable here even though it seemed like a better fit. I missed that opportunity, oh well.
Then it came up again! And guess what? I was content to let it pass.
Then in church on Sunday my Pastor spoke about God’s will. He said a lot that really spoke to me, but to sum it up: we will NEVER know God’s will for the future. It’s pride to think we will figure it out and foolish to sit around waiting. But we DO know how He desires us to act (in the Bible..like the 10 Commandments and Micah 6:8). That’s the part of his will that we do know… and that’s the part we can act on. God isn’t as interested in your career as He is in your righteousness. And was not acting in the right manner by being complacent.
So I applied for the job. I dont know if I will get it, but that’s not important. What was important was that I was stepping out of my comfort zone to see if I can better use the gifts that God has given me.
I could take the job or I can leave it. But I really think that God simply wanted me to apply. The rest is in His hands and in the future, and I know He has great plans! I’m just waiting to see what they are!
EXCELLENT post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have so much ahead of you! Way to step out of your comfort zone and take action!!
Sorry about the novel!
Thanks so much for the comment Abby, it made my day! You are awesome and that’s so great that you listened and applied for the job. Good luck with whatever happens!
I am so proud of you for being a responsible adult! But be a happy adult! I can’t wait to see your life transform!
I loved this post.
I totally know the feeling you’re talking about. I think about how much time I spent at work, getting ready for work, and driving to and from work, and it makes me want to cry sometimes. I try not to think about it because its just depressing. I maybe have 4.5 waking hours a day that are mine, and thats just reality. If I want to pay the bills, right now thats how it going to have to be.
Right now my main priority is to get myself in order and get back to school so I dont have to live like this forever. Staying where I am is NOT an option.
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Nice post.
If you’ve followed my blog at all, you will know that I hate my job/profession with passion.
The thing is , we can’t all just up and quit our jobs like that. For example, I have 8 years of student loan debt as just the beginning of my woes.
So, instead, I need to breathe and realize it will take time (accept that will take A LOT of time). I wrote some stuff on this a few posts back (in an Eat, Pray, Love post) etc….I need to balance wanting to get out of the hellish profession I am with absolute realism also.
I am late to the party, but, ummm, this is an amazing post!! I don’t want to add up my hours in a week as I’m scared how many would be dedicated to “reading blogs, facebook statuses and bookmarking recipes I’ll never make.”
Exactly one year ago I was in a full-time job I disliked so much it put me into a depression. Thankfully (?) I was underpaid, so it wasn’t the money holding me to it. Just the feeling that I’d worked really hard to get that job, and all that work would have been worthless if I left. Well, it was either quit my job or get counselling. In October 2009 I set a date of December 6. I e-mailed my boss, giving him almost two month’s notice. I had no clue what I was going to do, and it was completely liberating. Several months, a personal training certification, and a new city later, I’m the happiest I’ve been in my life. Things have a way of working out – you just have to be brave enough to initiate change to get the change. I have absolute faith in you!!
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