Put the Important Things in Life First

I recently facilitated a workshop on time management for a group of emerging leaders and part of the workshop was based on Stephen Covey’s bestseller, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.In this book, Covey teaches us that we should manage our time in a way that helps us to get to where we want to be.

He says that when it comes to time, our way of thinking should be based on the compass rather than on the clock. A compass helps us to move in the right direction whereas a clock just tells us how fast we are doing things.

Covey also points out that we should make a distinction between what is important and what is not important we should know the difference because when we know what is important we know what to focus on.

Important things are things that have value for us and that draw on our deepest beliefs and principles and move our lives in the right direction: family life, our studies, friendships and relationships, parish life and parenting.

Unimportant things are things that consume our time, but do not really help us to move in the right direction. These things are normally nice-to-do, and can easily deceive us and waste our time. Covey calls the important things first things, and in his book he teaches us to put first things first.

St Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

When we do the important things first, then we make the best use of our time. When we know what the will of the Lord is for us, then we are able to focus on achieving that will.

If I am a student, the Lord wills that I become the best student I can be. A good student knows that it is better to focus on lectures and pay attention during the class. This will help the student become the best student they can be, and they follow their compass in the right direction. The student is focusing on what is important. Once they have taken care of what is important, the rest of student life falls into place.

As a parent, as another example, I might know that spending quality time with my children over a weekend is important.

This makes me a good parent and this is what the Lord wills me to be. I value family, and the happiness and growth of my children forms part of my deepest beliefs and principles. When I focus on this important task and say no to unimportant tasks like spending time at the mall with my friends, I follow my compass and move in the right direction.

The parent is putting first things first. Once a parent has taken care of what is important, the rest of the parenting tasks fall into place.

What is really important to you? What are the deepest beliefs and principles that you base your life on? What things do you want to and need to put first? The answers to these questions will help you to move your life in the right direction.

The gospel of Matthew sets our compass for us, helps us to know what is important, what to focus on and which things to put first: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.