How to Deal with Priority Creep?

Priority is the word that logically cannot be plural. It is just that — one priority. Not priorities. And not more than one.

However, it’s not easy to identify what is more important. It is where priority creep appears.

You realize you have it all wrong and need to streamline. How to do it?

There is an interesting article posted on Unsettle.org where the author describes several ways on how t deal with priority creep. Here are the most important points in brief:

Define the ONE thing

There’s one thing you could be doing that’ll help propel you forward. It’s probably the one thing that you set out to do initially.

Your priority should be simple. Go over what got you results before.

Ask yourself the question: “What’s the one thing you can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”

Eliminate what’s in the way

Say NO to priority creep and either shut down some of your projects or outsource them.

If you’re not sure what’s in the way of your priorities, it will make it difficult to ruthlessly eliminate, so track your time. Define where you’re task switching and what you spend your time on. Eliminate the many little things that fill the gaps.

Plan a reality check with yourself

It’s too easy to give in to priority creep. It will gain speed for you.

Once you’ve nailed down your priority, and ruthlessly cut everything that’s in the way, don’t be surprised if in a month or a couple of months you find yourself dealing with priority creep again. Try to be proactive and plan a priority review with yourself.

It makes the most sense to do it at the end of each month.

Do not divide your focus

The truth is: if you chase two rabbits at once you catch neither of them. Generating ideas is a good thing but you don’t have to activate every idea you think of.

How do you deal with priority creep?