This is how I choose to prioritize

I’ve become better at prioritizing as the demands on me have grown greater and more sophisticated. Often, the choices I have to make don’t conform with the choices I want to make. It used to be that I interpreted every unwanted choice as an affirmation of my lack of control over my life. Time and experiences have taught me to look at the matter of choices differently, though. A choice I make because I have to is a choice that could make what comes next easier, like the choice to conclude an urgent (and annoying) task so that I can get it out of the way and focus on what I want to do. 

For two weeks, I’ve had to push the revisions on my manuscript aside because my work at Futuro Media got unusually busy and challenging, and because I had to finish an online writing course I’m creating for Arizona State University. I chose not to get frustrated. I chose not to get upset. I knew that to give my best to all that I had to do required prioritizing. Inevitably, my book, a true labor of love, fell to the bottom of my working list of priorities.

Speaking of reorganized priorities, I dropped everything on Friday to co-host In The Thick, a weekly podcast by Futuro about the news of the week from the perspective of the new American mainstream. It was my first time in the host chair. I didn’t have any time to prepare. And I was filling in for the inimitable Maria Hinojosa. Talk about pressure.

As I walked into the recording booth at Futuro’s offices in Harlem, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and remembered the words on the coffee mug I got from Harsha Nahata, a former producer for In The Thick: “It’s official. You’re awesome.” (We miss you, Harsha!)

Yup, I’m awesome — and you are too. The simple act of taking time to read this makes you awesome because you’re making time for yourself while also supporting my work.

Let’s keep on shining together.

With love and purpose, always.

Fernanda.