After the relative lull of the summer months, the pace of work is once again accelerating to full throttle, and some of my clients are finding themselves facing a familiar challenge: the overwhelm that accompanies the return to a full schedule.
After a season that might have offered a bit of respite, it’s easy to feel buried under a growing list of tasks and expectations. “Let’s come back to this in September” might have seemed a reasonable thing to say back in July, but now you’ve got seventeen things on your to-do list, all of which must apparently be done by Christmas…
I’m a bit of a word nerd (my first degree was in Linguistics), and I recently learned the word “priority” entered the English language in the 1400s, meaning “first” or “the state of being earlier”. Interestingly, for about 500 years, it remained singular - there was only one priority.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that we began to speak of “priorities,” implying that we could have multiple first things. This shift in language reflects a shift in mindset, one that may be contributing to the overwhelm many of us feel today.
So, what can this etymology lesson teach us about focus and effectiveness?
The Myth of Multiple Priorities
When we try to focus on too many priorities at once, we dilute our energy and attention. The truth is, we can’t have several “first” things. If everything is a priority, nothing truly is. As you return from the summer lull, consider challenging the idea of multiple priorities and instead embrace the concept of a single, clear priority.
1. Press Pause
Stopping already might seem counter intuitive, but when you’ve got zillions of emails, socials, calls and Teams meetings stacked up, not to mention the “Can I just grab you for 5 minutes..?”, you’re not giving your head time to process.
It can feel like you’ve got dozens of plates spinning, with each new meeting adding another plate, and no time to ensure the previous plates are still where they should be!
Find a space where you can do nothing for five minutes. Let the mental chatter settle. Let any physical responses (clenched jaws, tense shoulders) subside.
Then, you can proceed.
2. Identify Your True Priority
Begin by asking yourself: What is the one thing that, if achieved, would make the biggest difference to my team or organisation? This isn’t about ignoring other tasks or responsibilities but about identifying the most critical objective that deserves your focus right now.
For example, perhaps your priority is to drive a key strategic initiative, such as launching a new product or service. Or it might be strengthening team cohesion after a period of disconnection. Whatever it is, define it clearly and let it guide your decisions and actions.
3. Communicate and Align
Once you’ve identified your priority, it’s essential to communicate it clearly to your team. Alignment around this priority ensures that everyone is moving in the same direction, reducing the risk of miscommunication and fragmented efforts. Encourage your team to also clarify their focus, so that individual priorities align with the broader organisational goal.
4. Guard Your Time
With your priority identified, protect the time needed to focus on it. This might involve reassessing your diary, delegating tasks, or even saying no to new requests that don’t align with your primary objective. Consider time-blocking - dedicating specific periods to work solely on your priority, free from distractions. [My blog on setting better boundaries may be of help, too].
5. Reflect and Reassess
As the weeks progress, regularly check in with yourself and your team. Is your priority still the most important? Has anything shifted that requires a change in focus? Reflection ensures that your efforts remain aligned with what truly matters, and it provides an opportunity to celebrate progress and recalibrate if needed.
What Have We Learnt?: Less Might Be More
Returning from the summer lull doesn’t have to mean diving headfirst into a sea of tasks. By revisiting the singular nature of “priority,” you can bring clarity and focus to your leadership approach. Remember, it’s not about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most. Embrace the power of one priority, and you may find that the path forward is not only more manageable but also more rewarding.
This approach not only helps you regain control but also fosters a more intentional and thoughtful leadership style, something that will resonate with your team and drive meaningful progress as you move through the months ahead.
And if you are struggling with feeling overwhelmed as a leader, identifying your priorities or communicating these with your team, contact me for a chat about how leadership coaching might help you.
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