"The Art of Prioritising: A Witty Riff on Tomorrow’s To-Do"

As I sit here on the eve of yet another day, pen in hand (or more accurately, fingers on keyboard), the question looming large before me is deceptively simple: What’s my number one priority for tomorrow? Now, if you think this is an easy one to answer, then you, my friend, clearly haven’t navigated the labyrinth of life’s endless priorities—especially the ones that seem to change with every passing hour.

I’ve worn many hats in my time: Principal, author, consultant and now a dotiing to the little bundle of joy. You’d think, after so many years of juggling responsibilities, I’d have mastered the fine art of prioritisation. But as anyone who’s lived a few decades on this planet knows, priorities have a peculiar way of shifting like sand beneath your feet. What seems crucial at 8 AM often becomes irrelevant by lunch, and by tea-time, the realisation dawns that your grand plans for the day have been entirely hijacked by a pair of mismatched socks or a forgotten grocery list.

But let’s cut to the chase. What is my top priority tomorrow? Drumroll, please... it’s something so elemental, so profound, and yet so underestimated: waking up on time.

I know, I know—sounds simple, right? But let’s not dismiss the sheer battle of willpower that takes place between me and my alarm clock. For those of you unacquainted with the snooze button’s magnetic pull, let me enlighten you: waking up early is not just about opening your eyes. It’s a psychological wrestling match, where my mind attempts to negotiate an extra five minutes of sleep, and my body conspires to pull the covers tighter. Winning that match is nothing short of heroic—just ask anyone who’s hit snooze three times and still managed to face the day.

So, assuming I defeat the alarm and find myself upright at a reasonable hour, what comes next? Well, tomorrow, as with most days, is a blank slate waiting for me to inscribe some brilliance. I could revisit that blog I’ve been brewing for a while—the one with philosophical musings on parenting or a deep dive into the history of school uniforms (trust me, there’s more to it than meets the eye). But, of course, writing requires the right mood, and the right mood often needs the right motivation—usually found at the bottom of a strong cup of tea.

Ah, tea. The elixir of the British soul. My day cannot truly begin without it. Now, while some may see tea as just a beverage, I view it as a ritual, a moment of clarity, a time to gather my thoughts and mentally plan out the next steps. My tea-making skills, honed over years, are second only to my skills in crafting blogs that are both insightful and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. You see, life has taught me that humour is the secret ingredient that makes wisdom palatable. A spoonful of sugar might sweeten the tea, but a dash of wit sweetens life.

Now, back to tomorrow’s agenda. After conquering the day’s start, I could dive into writing that overdue piece or perhaps tackle something entirely more mundane—like sorting through my to-do list or engaging in the age-old battle of clearing my inbox. But let’s be honest, by mid-afternoon, there’s a high likelihood that my well-laid plans will have been derailed by something entirely unexpected: ,a spontaneous trip to buy fish that turns into buying quail (yes, that’s a true story), or a sudden realisation that I’ve spent 30 minutes pondering the meaning of life while staring at the trees outside my window.

Yet, isn’t that the beauty of life? Tomorrow’s top priority might start with something practical, like writing or consulting, but it often ends with something far more profound—enjoying the small, unplanned moments that make each day special. Whether it’s sharing a laugh with family, watching the sunset, or simply marvelling at how life never quite goes according to plan, these are the moments that leave a lasting imprint.

Of course, I mustn’t forget my evening ritual: the nap. Ah, the afternoon nap, my favourite intellectual pursuit. You see, some people believe that productivity is all about grinding through tasks, but I beg to differ. True productivity lies in balance. A nap allows me to reflect, recalibrate, and emerge refreshed—ready to tackle whatever new priority life throws at me.

And so, my dear reader, what is tomorrow’s number one priority, you ask? It’s simple yet complex, grand yet mundane: to wake up, to live, to laugh, and to find joy in the unexpected. Maybe I’ll finish that blog, maybe I won’t. But one thing’s for sure—I’ll savour every minute of the day, knowing that priorities may shift, but life’s little moments are the true treasures.

So here’s to tomorrow, where waking up early will be my victory, and everything else will be the icing on the cake. Or, if I’m lucky, the cream in my tea.

Cheers to embracing the art of prioritising (and sometimes not prioritising at all)!