Prioritizing for Maniacs Tool #5

The Ignatian Method: Discerning What You Ought to Be Doing Right Now

I have a few different ways to clear my slates: respond to texts and move tasks into my calendar so I don't forget that I promised so-and-so a ride or need to bring XYZ to a meeting; go through my inbox and delete what I can, and move information to where it will actually be seen and acted upon: my calendar, Reminder app, etc.; clean the kitchen, flip the laundry, make my bed, and tidy to a timer; check in with each of the kids about their schoolwork and help them determine their top priority for the next work block.

A real danger though is that I can keep busy this way for 12 hours straight and still not get to something that should have been my number one priority. I need to take time to think, which feels like a waste of time, because it isn't "productive." But remembering the importance of fighting the right battles, nothing can be more productive than discerning the right battle.

The Ignatian method means discerning what God is calling you to do right now. For me, this sometimes looks like taking a minute and praying, "Lord, what matters most right now? Guide my decisions and redirect me if need be." I often feel tugged toward a task that feels obviously right, and which I likely would have neglected until the end of the age. Often I am given the energy and desire to immediately tackle something I hate doing, like making a phone call.

Sometimes it looks more practical, and I jot down what seems urgent, noting whatever comes to mind on paper. Once I start working on paper, I often realize, "Oh, I had better get these two tasks done first, as they are foundational to other people being able to do the next steps after me." For example, doing the meal plan and grocery list is important if my husband is supposed to swing by the grocery store on his way home from work; timing this right saves our household about 35 minutes of driving, plus the mileage. Recognizing that God is never calling me to run around multitasking and feeling terrible about not being personally omnipotent has helped me find peace in my limitations.

A lot of times there has been a fusion between discerning what needs to be done and relaxing my grip on doing things perfectly. When I discerned that my most critical job at the moment was prioritizing schoolwork with my very dyslexic child, I found myself able to simplify my gourmand dinner plans. If I had to do something less perfectly, it really helped for me to see that it was in service of an even higher good.

And if you're not religious? Perhaps imagine that there is a higher power that can help you discern your biggest priorities. The truth is, you probably know what they are and just don't want to look at them. By asking yourself this question, "What matters most right now?" you can activate your reticular cortex to find the answers for you. I personally like to ask God to flood my life with grace whenever possible, but you can adjust my method to work with where you are spiritually.

Read the whole series:

1. Know your specs (January 15, 2026)
2. Slay the perfectionism dragon (January 22, 2026)
3. Eisenhower matrix (January 29, 2026)
4. Scheduling maintenance (February 5, 2026)
5. The Ignatian Method (February 12, 2026)
6. Believe that you too only have 24 hours in a day (February 19, 2026)
7. Big Picture Questions (February 26, 2026)