The word “priority” appeared as a noun in the English language as far back as the 1400’s in the singular form. It stayed only in the singular form for 500 years thereafter. Only in the 1900’s, did we start using the word “priorities”.
Just think about the word “priority”. It denotes whatever is prior, or first. In an ordered set, there can only ever be one first item. And yet, in the modern world, we wish to bend this reality and have “priorities” – more than one first items. It stems from our misconception that we can get everything done, all at once.
Try asking yourself every now and then – “what is the most important thing in this very moment?”. Do you have more than one answer? Do you have the priorities problem?
Inspiration: Essentialism – Greg McKeown
