March 2025
Sometimes it’s really hard to change the way we do things. I can’t be the only one who thinks I’m usually doing what works best for me already, right?
And while I have spent years mastering productivity and creating tools and processes, figuring out how to prioritize took me the longest to learn. Sometimes it really is hard to change our ways.
For so long, I thought that everything had to happen now, today. I typically was in a constant state of feeling urgency, and it wasn’t good. It wasn’t healthy or productive.
Now, I’m always working on prioritizing and tackling this challenging aspect because, to me, everything feels important and urgent. I remind myself often that it’s not about getting everything done, it’s about getting the right things done.
So, how do we figure out what the right things are? This is what I do:
Figure out what delivers the most impact in your business or your life.
Look at the calendar – deadlines really dictate priority.
Think about who else is involved.
Estimate how much time you need and set your own deadline if it’s not mandated by someone else.
After you figure out how to prioritize your tasks and to-dos, make a list. Organize it in the order you’d like to get them done, or assign items to days or time blocks. All of these strategies will take away the urgency because you have a plan.
Figuring out priorities and planning for them is a strategy that hasn’t been easy, but it’s so important. Join me on the quest to get it right for yourself and you’ll see and feel the advantages in work and life.
(If you haven’t been to workflowsbyronna.com lately, pop over there and check out some new content and a menu of options. Take me up on the offer to join me on this quest… there are options to work with me that will fit your comfort level.)
- Ronna
My Favorite Things
Physical therapy is my favorite thing this month. Yet, as much as I enjoy taking care of my body and making it stronger, you might guess that it’s not really the actual physical therapy that is my favorite thing.
It’s really that physical therapy has forced me to slow down in order to get strong again. And it has forced me to reallocate some time from work to taking care of myself.
For someone who blocks her time and has many responsibilities, three hours during the week for PT is a lot. But I’ve recognized that recovering – like planning – is a process.
Overall, giving PT a favorite-thing title makes me realize that paying attention to myself, my allocation of time and my physical (and emotional) strength is really important to my productivity overall. It may feel counterintuitive but slowing down can be more efficient!
Alison and I posing with our Humorology 3rd place trophy in the UW-Madison Chi Omega house. Humorology is the largest student-run philanthropy event and variety show in the state of Wisconsin, and Alison and I were co-directors our senior year.
What I’m Thinking About
I’ve been thinking about making my life bigger lately. I am for sure fulfilled by my work, life and family, and yet I’m working to make a bigger investment in my own self-care and the experiences I have.
Last month my college best friend was bringing her recently-admitted daughter to visit our alma mater, which is two hours from my house. I had things planned, clients scheduled, so I told her I just couldn’t make it happen.
And then… Then I chatted with a couple of special people in my life who reminded me that life isn’t a dress rehearsal and that this opportunity to spend the day in Madison, Wisconsin, (one of my happy places!) with my recently-admitted daughter, my bestie and her daughter wouldn’t likely arise again. And so… I pivoted!
And I surprised her! Yes, there were two squealing, hugging college roommates making a scene on the street as their teenage daughters laughed along with them. To see the video, check out the reel that I posted on Instagram on March 6th.
It was amazing for all of us. It filled our hearts and helped me on the journey to a bigger life where sometimes we have to pivot for opportunities, even if we’re already planned and scheduled. This wasn’t easy for me, but the outcome was incredible, and I will value it forever.
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