Setting priorities

Where do you start? Whether you’re planning a garden or taking on the Utah legislature to protect the future of Utah’s special and local districts, it’s important from square one to prioritize your mission and productively pursue your goals.

Sounds easy enough, right? OK, it’s not so simple. But the time you spend now to plan your approach will, in time, allow other factors to fall into place. That can ease your load as you approach success.

Here are a few tips to put you on the right path:

• Don’t focus on what has happened in the past. Yes, it pays to keep in mind what has come before. But that’s a far shot from still chewing on the bone, stressing over past missteps and perceived injustices. Instead, look ahead to solutions. How can you approach this problem in a way that will lead to better results? Gather your tools, whether it’s a rake and shovel or a well-prepared argument for your opinion on pending legislation. Step out with confidence with a plan in hand.
• Take an honest assessment of where you stand right now. What are your strongest assets? How can you use them to meet your goals? You have an opportunity to make a big difference, whether it’s supplying your family with a full pantry or improving the quality of life in your community. What are you bringing to the table?
• Jump in! Don’t ease your way forward by tackling small, inconsequential tasks. Tackle the elephant in the room. Challenge yourself and watch as everything else falls into place. Sure, it’s hard work turning the soil. But all of those aches will disappear when you start plucking those big, juicy heirlooms off the vine. The same goes for UASD when, after the 2016 Utah legislative sessions ended, three-quarters of the 52 bills we supported won approval and only one of the 16 we opposed made it through.

Somewhere along the way, we had our priorities right.