What’s important to you? And by ‘important’ I mean those people, things that are critical to you and your quality of life. First, look at your list (don’t do this in your head! take a moment and list up to ten items so you can see… but don’t force the ten if you have only 4, it’s your 4). Are there more people or things (activity is defined as a thing – thing isn’t defined other than non-people)? That is not meant as a sly way of telling you what you should value – there really is no right or wrong list… it’s your list. So what’s there?
Surprised? Or does the list represent what you expected? Now the more sneaky part: first look at your schedule – do you spend your time on those people and things you’ve indicated are important? Or do you find other items in your schedule that aren’t included in your list. The point is – if you don’t include these ‘other’ then you aren’t being honest with yourself. This is simply an activity that helps you look at what you say and what you actually do. Sometimes the items on one’s list are a wish, or a ‘later’ rather than a now.
Now take a moment and look at your bank statement for the previous month. What did you spend your money on? And trust me, what you spend your money on is definitely important to you. Again, are you surprised? Does this make you re-evaluate what it is that you actually are spending your money on or does it reinforce? Perhaps it adds to your list? The obvious, non-evaluative point is that where and how you spend your money does reflect what’s important and/or what needs to be included in your ‘Important’.
If you read this as a ‘spank’ – not my intent. I simply was assisting you look at your reality of ‘important’ not just your thought-life important. They may be related… then again, what you think may have no evidence in reality. This may change your ‘Important’ list to a more representative one. Or it may inspire you to rethink what you do think and to evaluate what it is you want to see in your life. Obviously there is no ‘right’/’wrong’ – it simply is a way to see yourself more accurately and to change what you can and want or to recognize that ‘later’ is more valid in your thought life.
