Let’s play a quick game. Think back to your last week. How many hours did you spend in meetings, responding to emails, commuting, checking Slack, Teams, or whatever new platform is “revolutionizing” workplace communication these days?
Now ask yourself: how many hours did you spend working on something that actually matters to you? Something that ties directly to your personal or professional goals—something you’d genuinely define as a priority?
If those numbers don’t match up (or if you’re now spiraling into an existential crisis), you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. And that’s because most of us are spending the majority of our time on pursuits, not priorities.
Wait… Aren’t Those the Same Thing?
Not even close.
Pursuits are the obligations that fill our calendars. The things that need to get done. Meetings. Deadlines. Grocery shopping. Coordinating your child’s sixth birthday party that somehow costs more than your honeymoon. These are the “stuff of life,” the daily grind.
But priorities? Those are different. Priorities are the intentional choices we make. They’re the things that align with our values, goals, and what we truly care about. They’re the needle-movers in our lives—personally and professionally.
The problem is, pursuits scream louder. They ding, buzz, and pop up as reminders. Priorities, on the other hand, whisper. They require us to slow down, reflect, and (brace yourself) say no to other things.
The Consequence of Confusing the Two
When we confuse pursuits for priorities, we end up exhausted—but not fulfilled. Busy—but not productive. We chase activity instead of achievement.
It’s how we get to the end of the week/month/year and think: “I did so much… so why do I still feel stuck?”
Because you were running, but you weren’t running in the direction that matters.
So How Do You Fix It?
Good news: You don’t need a 30-step planner or a weekend retreat to shift from pursuit-mode to priority-mode. Here are a few steps to get back on the right track.
- Get Clear on What Actually Matters
This isn’t about listing 50 goals. It’s about clarity. If you could only accomplish ONE thing this quarter that would make you proud, what would it be? Start there. Define it. Write it down. Tape it to your monitor if you have to. - Schedule Your Priorities First
Time is a real estate game, and the high-value tenants should get first dibs. Block time in your calendar first for the things that matter. If your goal is to write a book, the writing time needs to live in your calendar before all your meetings do. If it’s spending more time with family, date nights need to make the calendar first. What gets scheduled, gets done. - Treat Priorities Like Non-Negotiables
You wouldn’t cancel a meeting with your boss (well… maybe sometimes), so don’t cancel a meeting with yourself. Whether it’s working on a presentation, hitting the gym, or spending uninterrupted time with your kids—treat it like a priority by protecting it like one. - Audit and Adjust Regularly
Life shifts. Goals change. Every couple of weeks, take 15 minutes to ask: “Did my schedule reflect my priorities?” If the answer is no, tweak it. Don’t beat yourself up—just realign. - Let the Pursuits Fill in the Gaps
Here’s the thing—pursuits will still happen. And they should. The dishes do need to get done. The inbox can’t be ignored forever. But those things will always find a way into your schedule. Priorities won’t—unless you put them there.
You don’t have to do more. You just have to do more of what matters.
Life isn’t about being busy—it’s about being intentional. So the next time your calendar starts to feel like a Tetris game gone wrong, take a breath. Ask yourself if you’re filling it with priorities or just chasing pursuits. Then make the shift.
And remember: It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things.
