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It's Your Choice

Why it's worth sorting out your priorities

Watch the video of Soaps talking to Dr. Phil

Our trainees have discovered that even when they're at work, time can drag one minute and whiz by the next. Why is it that?

Have you ever wished for more time? What do you do when two or three things clash? How do you choose between them? People say it's simple. You just have to sort out your priorities and do what makes you happy or gives you least hassle.

Get a sense of direction
Having priorities doesn't guarantee an untroubled life, dream job or fantastic lifestyle. But it does give you a sense of direction. It's like having a personal compass and it makes decision making easier.

If losing weight is a priority, say no to sweets and alcohol. Say yes to healthy food and exercise. If money is a priority, say no to credit and store cards. Say yes to overtime and savings accounts. If having a job is a priority, turn up on time and do it.

Set your own priorities
If you don't prioritise, someone else will do it for you. And it's hard not to go along with their ideas. It's why people do things that they don't really want to do. Things that they don't enjoy or aren't interested in. Things that get them into trouble.

Greg's future looked grim so he took stock of his life. He decided that he wanted to change. He set his own priorities. And, for the time being at least, he's putting work first. He may find it hard to stick to his new priorities. He may fall by the wayside. But at least he's having a go.

Think about the future
Sometimes you have to sacrifice things now to get what you want in the future. Soaps has two main priorities - being a carpenter and having a good social life. She's prioritising her social life and is having a great time. But Dr Phil and the others think that she's got her priorities wrong. And they let her know it.

Employers and site managers won't put up with her antics. She'll have to get her act together if she's to make it as a carpenter. She'll have to rethink her priorities and make compromises. She won't get far if she doesn't accept that, right now, work is more important than her social life.

Figure out your priorities
Having a sense of direction makes people feel good. They know what they want. They like what's happening. They like how the future feels. Without it, people can feel a bit lost. They're not sure what they want from life and it drags them down. Other people's grass always seems greener.

Do you know where you're going and what you want from life? Or do you need some help to decide what's important to you? If so, here's your starter for ten…

Adventure – getting a buzz from new opportunities, challenges and experiences
Family life – having a beautiful home, good relationships, a place to relax
Freedom – to say and do what you want with no responsibilities
Fun & social life - partying, partying, more partying
Health – being fit and having a well preserved body
Making the world a better place - doing your bit for the community, world peace and the environment
Security – living a routine life with few surprises
Status – having money, power and know-how
Wisdom – having knowledge, experience, good sense and a willingness to learn
Work – having job satisfaction, forging a career, being successful

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