Every task that comes to me is urgent and important.
Sound familiar?
This is a challenge many of us face daily.
Early in my career, prioritization was relatively straightforward—my manager told me what to focus on.
But as I grew, the game changed.
Suddenly, I was managing a flood of requests, far more than I could handle, and the signals from others weren’t helpful.
Everything was “important.” Everything was “urgent.” Often, it was both.
To handle this effectively, I realized I needed to develop an internal prioritization compass.
It wasn’t easy, but it was transformative.
Here are 6 strategies to help you build your own:
1/ Be crystal clear on key goals
Start by understanding your organization’s goals—at the company, department, and team levels. Attend organizational forums, departmental reviews, or leadership updates to stay informed. When in doubt, use your 1:1s with leaders to ask: What does success look like?
2/ Deeply understand KPIs
Metrics guide decision-making, but not all metrics are equally valuable. Take the time to understand your team's or function's key performance indicators (KPIs). Know what they measure, what they mean, and how to assess their impact.
3/ Be assertive to protect priorities
Not every task deserves your attention. Practice saying “no” or deferring requests that don’t align with key goals or metrics. Assertiveness is not about being inflexible—it’s about protecting your capacity to focus on what truly matters.
4/ Set and reset expectations
Priorities change, and that’s okay. What’s not okay is working on misaligned tasks. Keep open communication with your manager and stakeholders about evolving priorities. When new demands arise, clarify and reset expectations.
5/ Use 1:1s to align with your manager
Leverage your 1:1s as a strategic tool. Share your current priorities, validate them against your manager’s expectations, and discuss any conflicts or challenges.
6/ Clarify the escalation process
When priorities conflict, don’t let disagreements linger. If you can’t agree quickly, escalate the issue to your manager. This avoids unnecessary churn, ensures trust remains intact, and keeps momentum focused on results.
PS: You won’t always get it right—and that’s okay. Treat each misstep as an opportunity to refine your compass.
What’s one tip you’ve used to prioritize when everything feels urgent?
