Priority Panic: How to Decide What Actually Matters

You have so much on your plate, and now you've been given another project.

Your boss knows you're good at your job—that's why she's handing you the high-profile work. So you smile and say, "Thanks, boss. You know I'll get it done."

The good news? She trusts you.

The bad news? Your brain immediately goes into panic mode: How am I ever going to get this done?

Here's the thing: there's always more than one way to solve a problem, and you've absolutely got this. But first, you need to get out of overwhelm mode and into strategic mode.

Let's talk about how to sort through the chaos and actually prioritize what matters.

Start With What You Can See

Before you spiral, get everything out of your head and onto paper (or screen—no judgment).

Look at your deadlines. Not all projects are created equal, even if they all feel urgent. What's actually due first? Prioritizing by due date gives you a clear starting point and helps you focus your time and effort where it needs to go.

Review your calendar—all of it. It's not just about project deadlines. What meetings do you have that need prep? Any days off coming up? PTO you forgot you scheduled? Your calendar tells the story of where your time is actually going, so look at the full picture.

Factor in your team. You're not just managing projects—you're managing people. What does your team need from you this week? Who needs support, feedback, or a check-in? Pretending you don't have management responsibilities won't make them go away (trust me, I've tried).

Get Aligned With Your Manager

Here's where a lot of people get stuck: they assume they know what their manager wants. Don't assume. Ask.

Schedule a quick conversation and say something like: "I have a lot on my plate, and I really appreciate you trusting me with this latest project. But I could use some help prioritizing what's most important to you, especially since several of these have overlapping deadlines."

This isn't admitting defeat. This is being strategic. You're ensuring you're aligned with her priorities and the organization's goals. Plus, she might have insights you don't—like something coming down the pipeline that shifts everything.

Delegate Like the Leader You Are

You don't have to do it all. In fact, showing you can properly delegate is a sign of strong leadership, not weakness.

Look at your projects and ask: What can someone else handle? What pieces of the bigger projects can you hand off? Delegation isn't about dumping work—it's about developing your team and managing your capacity wisely.

And yes, it takes time upfront to delegate well. Do it anyway. Future you will thank present yo

Work Smarter, Not Just Harder

Once you know what's actually on your plate and what your manager cares about most, use these strategies to stay on track:

Tackle the hard stuff first. There's a reason "Eat That Frog" is a thing. Get your most difficult or dreaded task done first thing in the morning when your energy is highest. Everything else will feel easier after that.

Time block your calendar. Don't just hope you'll find time for important work—schedule it. Block specific time for certain activities, meetings, and deep work. Protect that time like you would any other meeting.

Know your energy patterns. Pay attention to when your energy dips during the day (hello, 3 PM slump). Save the high-energy, strategic thinking tasks for when you're at your best. Use low-energy times for administrative work or quick wins.

Review your priorities regularly. This isn't a one-and-done exercise. Things change—weekly, sometimes daily. Build in time to reassess what's most important so you're not just reacting all the time.

And When You're Still Stuck?

Ask for help. Seriously.

There's no shame in asking questions or reaching out to managers, mentors, or peers who've been through similar situations. Asking for help doesn't make you look weak—it shows you're resourceful, curious, and willing to solve problems instead of suffer in silence.

That's leadership.

Final Thought

Overwhelm isn't a sign that you're failing. It's a sign that you care about doing good work and you've been trusted with a lot. But caring doesn't mean drowning.

When you feel stuck, use my 3-Question Reset to cut through the noise and figure out what actually matters. Because the goal isn't to do everything—it's to do the right things well.

You've got this.