We’ve all had weeks like this—rushing from meeting to meeting, juggling emails, errands, and life admin, barely catching a breath between it all. I know the feeling well: shuffling between my desk and conference rooms, trying to carry all 10 things I need in my arms, only to toss them into my tote at the end of the day and lug them home, where I pull them all back out again to wrap up more work.

In weeks like this, everything feels urgent. But did you know that before the mid-20th century, priority only existed in the singular? There was no such thing as priorities—just one thing that mattered most at any given time. Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that everything had equal importance, which is why so many of us feel like we’re constantly behind.

But here’s the truth: you are the priority. Urgency is often a perception rather than reality. Maybe someone forgot a deadline and now suddenly needs information from you ASAP. Or maybe a last-minute conflict means you’re suddenly facilitating a meeting you weren’t planning for. Sound familiar?

Listen, we can do anything, but we can’t do everything. We can’t do it all at once, but we can decide what actually requires our attention first. That power still sits with you.

1. The Art of Discernment: Not Everything Is Truly Urgent

At work, I swear by the Eisenhower Matrix for prioritization. I evaluate whether a task is:

✔️ Urgent and important – Do it now.

✔️ Important but not urgent – Schedule it.

✔️ Urgent but not important – Delegate it.

✔️ Neither urgent nor important – Delete or deprioritize it.

Here’s the kicker: I determine the urgency, not the person requesting it. Yes, there are times when something truly requires my immediate attention. But just because someone else failed to plan doesn’t mean it’s my emergency.

This principle also applies outside of work. Some things don’t feel urgent—until they suddenly are. Grocery shopping? Not mission-critical today, but wait three weeks, and suddenly you’re staring at an empty fridge. That’s why I don’t ignore non-urgent tasks—I schedule them. By proactively managing the things that will become important later, I avoid last-minute scrambles.

2. Prioritizing Work When Everything Feels Like a Fire

If you feel overwhelmed, start with one thing per day. Before the day begins (or the night before), identify the one most important thing you need to accomplish. Maybe it’s:

Hydrating and moving your body.

Finally scheduling that doctor’s appointment.

Checking a major task off your work to-do list.

Connecting with a loved one—calling your mom, sending a thoughtful message, or showing up for a friend.

If you complete that one thing, you’re winning.

Of course, some days, prioritizing feels impossible. If you’re stuck in analysis paralysis—when you have so much to do that you’d rather just take a nap (been there!)—try this:

1. Brain dump everything swirling in your head—no order, just get it down.

2. Categorize: Work, personal, errands, etc.

3. Action plan: Assign priority levels and schedule tasks accordingly.

Once you do this, your brain will feel lighter, and remembering a task won’t trigger the same stress because you already have a plan.

3. Navigating Priorities While Traveling (or When Life Is in Flux)

Routines shift when circumstances shift—whether it’s a work trip, moving, or a major life transition. Priorities should be adaptable, not rigid.

A simple framework I use is the 3-3-3 Approach:

✅ 3 Work Priorities (What must get done?)

✅ 3 Personal Priorities (Health, well-being, relationships)

✅ 3 Self-Care Non-Negotiables (Movement, hydration, sleep)

For example, I’m on a work trip as I write this, and when I travel, it’s easy to let the little things slide. Instead of stressing, I plan ahead:

• Work Priorities: I dedicate a set amount of time in the evening for “catch-up” tasks—just enough to stay on track but not so much that I don’t enjoy my time in a new city. I also create a non-urgent task list to tackle once I’m back in my usual routine.
• Personal Priorities: I make a point to eat out at least once. It’s tempting to rely on room service or UberEats, but part of the experience of traveling is experiencing. Even if it’s just a restaurant a few blocks from my hotel, it’s worth it. I also make sure to check in with my best friend while traveling—whether it’s during my commute from the airport or winding down for the night. Staying connected helps me feel grounded.
• Self-Care Non-Negotiables: I always pack my foldable travel yoga mat so I can stretch before bed, and I only book hotels with a fitness center to ensure I get my steps in. Hydration is key too—my Hydro Flask is a travel staple, and if I’m feeling extra dehydrated, a Liquid IV comes in clutch. And let’s be real, sleeping in hotel rooms is never the same, so I keep a sleep mask, silk hair tie, and cozy pajamas in my carry-on to make it a little more comfortable.

4. The Role of Boundaries in Prioritization

Earlier in my career, I made the mistake of saying “yes” to every request before confirming the real deadline. Now, I ask: “When do you actually need this by?” 9 times out of 10, it’s not as urgent as it initially seemed.

And here’s another lesson I’ve learned: It’s okay to say no. Recently, after taking on additional assignments, my boss asked if I could take on one more. I could have said yes, but I knew it would stretch me too thin. Instead, I explained that while I could do it, my other responsibilities (and relationships with key leaders) might suffer. We ultimately decided I shouldn’t take on anything else.

Boundaries protect your time and energy—without them, everything feels like a priority, and nothing actually is.

5. Prioritizing Yourself: The Non-Negotiables That Keep You Grounded

When things get busy, I’m often the first priority to fall off my own list. I’m working on changing that by creating a bare minimum self-care list—the things I won’t compromise on, even in busy seasons:

• Daily shower & basic skincare
• Hot tea & stretching before bed
• A guided meditation or journaling session once a week

Would I love to do more? Of course. But when life is hectic, these are the things that keep me functioning.

If you’re struggling to maintain balance, try incorporating quick resets:

✔️ A 5-minute breathing exercise or meditation

✔️ A short walk or 30 minutes on a walking pad

✔️ Regular screen breaks to reduce burnout

Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Don’t let yourself become the last thing on your list.

Closing Glimmer

You won’t always get it perfect, but prioritization is a practice, not a one-time fix. Like organization, it’s something you refine over time, adjusting as needed.

What’s your go-to strategy when everything feels urgent? Where do you start?

Tune in next week when we’ll talk about pro tips to beat the stress.

Mindfully,

MK