#95. Why Prioritization Feels So Damn Hard
Ever sit down, stare at your to-do list, and immediately feel like you're about to sink into a quicksand pit of overwhelm? Been there. In fact, if you've ever thought, "If I don't get everything done today, I'm failing," you're 100% not alone.
The good news? Prioritization doesn't have to feel like fighting a dumpster fire. There's a better way — and I'm about to walk you through it.
Our brains are drama queens. They tell us everything is urgent. Everything is important. And when your to-do list crosses all your roles — SLP, parent, business owner, household manager, snack-bringer — it’s even worse.
No wonder you feel paralyzed.
But here’s the truth: It does NOT all have to happen today. And you’re not a bad SLP (or human) if it doesn’t.
Let's build a simple, repeatable system to cut through the chaos.
The 3-Step Priority FilterReady to stop spiraling? Here’s your new go-to process.
Step 1: Dump It
📝 Start with a brain dump. Everything that's swirling in your head? Get it onto paper.
Bonus level: Use categories ("work," "family," "home," "personal") to group tasks. This instantly calms the chaos because your brain stops seeing everything as one giant, impossible mess.
Step 2: Define It
🧰 Run each task through these questions:
Is it urgent? (Is there a deadline or immediate consequence?)
Is it important? (Does it connect to a goal, value, or core need?)
Is it just noise? (Is this task even necessary?)
When everything feels urgent, nothing is urgent. When everything feels important, nothing is important. Filter it out.
Step 3: Decide It
🔄 Now, organize your tasks:
Today: What absolutely needs to happen today?
This Week: What needs attention but isn't as urgent?
Later/Optional: Delay, delegate, or delete these.
Alternative method: Highlight your list
🔴 Red: Not urgent/not important
🟡 Yellow: Important but less urgent
🟢 Green: Urgent and important — start here!
Real Life Example:
Let’s say you have the following tasks on your SLP to-do list:
1️⃣ Submit an evaluation report (due Friday).
2️⃣ Answer a batch of emails.
Old you: Jumps into emails because it's "easier."
New you: Prioritizes the report (urgent AND important), then answers emails without panic breathing.
What About the Non-Urgent, Important Stuff?
If you’re worried about "important but not urgent" tasks getting buried (like finally organizing those client materials?), I’ve got you covered.
I recently went live inside the SLP Support Group on Facebook with a full training on exactly that: how to make time for important-but-not-urgent tasks without letting everything else explode.
📌 Click here to join the group and catch the replay!
Bottom Line: You’re in Charge
Prioritization isn't about doing everything. It's about doing what matters most — today, this week, and in a way that honors your energy and your humanity.
Progress over perfection, always.
Need more help? This is exactly what I coach my 1:1 clients through — building systems that actually work for your real life (ADHD brain included). Click here to book a free consult.