A good basis is criticality, a task that cannot be delayed or whose delay will derail the whole work.

Dear friends, I have to set my priorities from this list (conduct a research, write a textbook, prepare a conference paper, prepare for lecture, and score examinations) and other duties, based on what is the most NEEDFUL.  To have a clear conscience, I do the things that fulfills my obligations to others (my students and fellow colleagues) like marking test papers, then I can sit down and analyze data or write up my research papers.  [The problem is that many things are important and urgent.]

My first priority to others. After finished off obligations from my colleagues and students, I sit for my work.

There is an old and simple method to determine the priorities of tasks, whether at the workplace or at home. It works with two yes/no questions: Is the task important? Is the task urgent? The answers to these questions give you four classes of tasks.

Prio 1: Important and urgent

Prio 2: Not important and urgent

Prio 3: Important and not urgent

Prio 4: Not important and not urgent

For a given task the answers may vary with time, so that the task might be moved from one priority to another. Moreover, you might feel the need to exchange prio 2 and 3 from above, thereby following your own personal style of work.

Stephen Covey has prescribed a Time-Management Matrix in his famous book "7 Successful Habits". We need to manage our time effectively. With regards - Sundar

I think  we need to  re-prioritize our task from  time to  time and leave part of the time to  enjoy the life,  to  have your  sport,  social  life, etc

Priority setting is an art. It should be done based on the urgency and importance of the tasks, considering the time constraint.

For professional life, I consider in order of priority:

1. Teaching,

2. Guiding research scholars,

3. Administrative work,

4. Concentrates own research work,

5. Plan for tomorrow,

6. Evening is fixed for domestic work,

7. Around two hours, concentrates on academics and research in the late evening,

8. Night is mine and my family, etc.

Stay in good health and revitalize the mind and spirit through some duties. Then I set the priorities of work and university students, and my own work (reading and writing research, etc.).

In my Profession Priorities are not set by me it is by need and requirements of company I will be doing some work suddenly from my boss I will be instructed to do other work. Initially I was feeling bad and I used to argue with my boss later I understood something which is key for my success I can say it as a quote" ** Eight hour is duty and extra is OT (over time)** " it helped me a lot so now a days whenever I was directed to change my priorities without any hesitation immediately I change my priorities therefore  I can say I am successful in my profession everyone is happy but the last thing either I do this or that I used to do with proper care

Topmost priority is a topmost priority, dear Mahfuz!

Priorities depend upon one's profession. For a teacher first priority is to satisfy students need like preparing for lecture, setting assignments, setting paper etc. Research, conference and righting a book comes next. Last one can do at leisure time, planning of good research and writing a good project proposal comes next to teaching. Similarly for a scientist working in laboratory research is prime requirement. 

Dear Sir, As per the nature of my job I have to reset my priorities on daily basis. But I always focused on time to be  consumed and output to be come out from activity during priority settings. regards

The bottom line is do Important things (toward long term goals) First.

Covey’s Time Management Grid is a great time management tool The Covey time management grid is an effective method of organizing your priorities. There are four quadrants organized by urgency and importance.

• Quadrant I: Urgent & Important
• Quadrant II: Not Urgent & Important
• Quadrant III: Urgent & Not Important 
• Quadrant IV: Not Urgent & Not Important

Quadrant II is exceptionally important. Because one must work both tactically and strategically at the same time. Finding ways to expand Quadrant II activities is a common outcome from using this grid.

Dear  Behrouz Ahmadi-Nedushan Please,  do we always adhere to  this nice classification

http://www.dkeener.com/keenstuff/priority.html

I agree with Dr. Ishag Adam though I learn many scientific ways and techniques to set priories when practical implementation comes it always gets collapsed

It depends: sometimes based on waiting time others on importance.

Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important. -Stephen R. Covey

Don`t you think that priority basis can be changed? These bases are not constant and are changeable depending on the situation and on other circumstances.

My rule of thumb is simple but effective. I follow Faraday's advise! : The secret is comprised in three words — Work, Finish, Publish.

Dear Mahfuz,

I think that priority basis can be change. It's depending on the situation.

"Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work."

H. L. Hunt

According to my goals and time.

In a research-active university, the list of priorities is likely to be:

(1) good quality journal papers presenting new ideas and experimental results

(2) research grant of major projects of national importance

(3) research grants of self-initiated projects of academic significance

(4) patents

(5) contributions to decision making by government or institutions

(6) outreach activities

When you try to tackle your tasks by priority, and you are faced with things that require you to change the priorities, It is important to know how to react and on which basis you can change these priorities.

Dear @Mahfuz, we should set our priorities and manage our time to meet deadlines and achieve goals! Time management and proper use of our skills brings the solution!

I  think that priority basis can be changed? These bases are not constant and are changeable depending on the situation and on other circumstances.

Mahatma Gandhiji's view on priorities

Excellent Prabhakar Purushothaman

I focus on importance, sequence, and consequences of my tasks task and actions while setting priorities considering possible alternative, time, resources, and my vision and aspirations. Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions.”- Dallin H. Oaks

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

-Stephen Covey

"An average person who develops the habit of setting clear priorities and getting important tasks completed quickly will run circles around a genius who talks a lot and makes wonderful plans but gets very little done"

  ~ Brian Tracy

As a strong believer in GOD, my top priority is to please HIM. Seeking the pleasure of the LORD requires from me to serve my family, my broad nation, and humanity at large. I have to do my best in everything I am capable of “teaching, helping researchers, giving free lessons in chemistry for my relatives & neighbors whether they are university or school students, helping school teachers, and drawing some winning pieces of arts “free of charge” together with calligraphy to my close relatives & neighbors.

Dear  Dr. Nizar Matar · I think  you focused on  the social  aspect of your life

This is good but  not  applicable to  the most of the western  Communities

Priorities are selected on the basis of their urgency!

I think it is a relative matter and change from person to person. A busy person is an advanced person. Priorities of a busy person may change from time to time as the social demand is an ever-changing factor.

Yes indeed, dear Eraldo. Doing all tasks in a day, although it rarely happens, is the most efficient day.

Normally priorities are in vicious circle (not necessarily ranked in sequence), they are attached to motives such as affiliation, achievement and Power expected to derive from

More about priorities. priorities have to be dynamic! "One thing I’ve had to learn, at times kicking and screaming, is that life happens. Life has a way of being dynamic. Often it doesn’t give two hoots about your priorities, that is, assuming you know what yours are. Ghandi said :"Action expresses priorities...."" Good article by Dr Richard Norris!

http://www.leadingmenonly.com/priorities-come-first

Three-list method for setting the priorities.

Weekly List #1 - The Weekly Calendar.

Create a weekly calendar. Make it your basic time budgeting guide. List your courses, work, study and research time, recreation, meals,, relaxation, etc.

Be flexible, adapt your schedule to changing needs. Keep your schedule handy and refer to it often. If it doesn't work, change it.

Daily List #2 - The Daily "Things to Do."

Write down all the things (not on your calendar) that you want to do today .  This list is a reminder. Use it to set priorities and to reduce decision-making and worry. If time is tight, move items to your long-term list. Rewrite this list each morning. Use visualization to help you focus on what to do.

Monthly List #3 - Goals and Other Things.

This can be one or two lists, a weekly list and/or a monthly list. Put down your goals and things you have to do. What do you want to accomplish over the next month? What do you need to buy? Use this list to keep track of all your commitments. If you're worried about something, put it on this list. The purpose of this list is to develop long-term goals and to free your mind to concentrate on today.

http://www.webster.edu/academic-resource-center/managing-priorities.html

Yes, indeed, dear Behrouz. Three-list method for setting the priorities.

Weekly List #1 - The Weekly Calendar

Daily List #2 - The Daily "Things to Do."

Monthly List #3 - Goals and Other Things.

Well organized and nicely said.

Well done Behrouz Ahmadi-Nedushan ·

Very right Prof. Ljubomir - Sometimes, things in life happen that demands us to rethink, reform and reschedule our priorities. Nobody's life is ever all balanced, so it may be a conscious decision to fine-tune your priorities as per circumstances.

The following three steps can help in setting priorities:

1. Be aware of how you are currently spending your time

2. Assess how satisfied you are with the way you are spending your time.

3. Set new priorities to start doing more of the important things in your life.

Priority setting is a necessity for achieving a goal(s). A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first. Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first.

Setting priorities is one of the main qualities of a successful manager. A manager who does not know how to determine the priorities of her/his task, is an inefficient manager.

Yes, I agree with Mahfuz that setting priorities is one of the major qualities of a successful person in any field without any exception.

Very nicely said Professor Kamal. Time is like a sword; if you don`t cut it, it will cut you. 

Dear Mahfuz Judeh 

Please,  can  we say that  time is a bomb ( replacing the old one sword)

In a minute there is time, dear Kamal and Mahfuz!

Like it or not, the world evolves, priorities change and so do you.

Marilu Henne

So prioritization is an External drive to Internal enabling of the self.

Dear Krishnan,

I completely agree with you that prioritization is an External drive to Internal enabling of the self.

How Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is useful for prioritization. Is it possible to do prioritization based on QFD tool?

Listening to voice of the market (customer). It is a structured product development process which translates what the market requires into a program to create, manufacture, and deliver it. In a QFD process, multi-skilled teams collaborate to arrive at a common understanding of the customer needs, and determine the appropriate technical requirements of each stage.

Applying Locus of Controls and Change / Process interventions as part of QFD

Employees - Internal LC

Market - External LC

Despite long-term, I consider micro-level or even day-to-day prioritization and planning equally essential Determining the top priorities for a day realistically and avoiding unattainable goals with a given situation only cause disappointment down the road. Melchor Lim said "Focus on your priorities, but take things in stride. Make decisions, not excuses. Live one moment at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. Let the wrong things go. Look for lessons in unforeseen obstacles. Ask for help. Give as much as you take. Make time for those who matter. Laugh when you can. Cry when you need to. And always stay true to your values."

To avoid feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, good time managers prioritize by evaluating and choosing what’s most important at any given time. When prioritizing, it is important to consider values, personal situation and time commitments. Point out:

• Priorities focus your energy on what’s most important at any given moment.
• Priorities help you organize your goals, paying attention to the most important first.
• Priorities mean power—you choose and control what is important.

The following link gives suggestions in order to order priorities: "Live a Life You Love: 5 Steps to Set Your Priorities Straight" by Maria Brilaki

See the report on the link:

tinybuddha.com/blog/live-a-life-you-love-5-steps-to-set-your-priorities-straight/

We should prioritize our work based on the urgency and importance of the work without loosing work-life balance.

Work-life balance is important issue regarding priorities! Here is a good reading about! This is consistent to my previous answers! We should revisit our values and priorities!

http://www.business2community.com/strategy/15-tips-finding-unicorn-work-life-balance-0781734

Dear Ljubomir,

I had a look at the link you attached. "The 15 tips to finding the unicorn of work life balance" is a very valuable resource.

Dear Subhash C. Kundu

It looks like we have to  deal  with emergency  only . What about the long term  events

Dear Ishag,

There are two aspects to time management:

1. setting long-term goals to guide your use of time.

2. prioritizing your tasks each day so that you can use your time most effectively.

Definitely, we have to consider and create balance in prioritizing short term and long term events. Both are necessary.

Thank you all  of you

Mahfuz Judeh

Eraldo Banovac

Subhash C. Kundu

Warm Regards

My priorities are defined on the basis of the different tasks and activities that need to be carried out in the coming months and years.

Hello dear Jorge. Long time we have not seen your interesting and valuable comments. I completely agree with you that priorities are defined on the basis of the different tasks and activities.

Dear Mahfuz. I was away from my office  taking some free time in Cuba with my friends and former colllegues. This was the reason of my silent in RG. Now, I am back and ready to continue my modest participation in RG.

You are welcome back Dear Jorge.

When we set our priorities according to the known rule: urgent, not urgent, impotant, not important, usually which takes more priority: urgent and not important, or important and not urgent.

Welcome back dear @Jorge. We hope that you have had a good vacation; Cuba is a very good place to visit.

Thanks for all comments made. I wish all a Happy New Year and a good health in 2015.

You should share more of your CUBA energy with us dear @Jorge! Many regards and respects to all of you! Wish You very prosperous New Year!

Regarding the question, my priority today is to be with a family most of the time!

Dear Kamal the important and Urgent can  overlap in  some situations

To succeed today, you have to set priorities, decide what you stand for.- Lee Iacocca

Many thanks dear @Kamal! Family time is sacred time.....! Yes, I should remember!

Activities which are vital for existence takes the lead and position themselves as important. However when clogged within a traffic of such activities, there arises the necessity for each to be ranked which is called Urgent

Limited resources, accountability, increasing complexity and inter-relatedness of problems, and other factors demand us to set our priorities. Some goals and actions are more important than others; some need to be accomplished before others; someone needs to decide what goals and actions is high priority. All situations of individuals are different, but underlying principles apply to many situations. At the same time they also provide possible priorities and criteria to judge them. We are ultimately responsible for considering all factors and making personal commitments to high priorities. Setting priorities is worthless unless commitment and action follow. Future consequences are one of the important criteria to determine priorities.

One has to lay down a plan and goals and then consider the priorities of others as well to decide like if one has articles to review,prepare a lecture ,write an article consider the commitment time and set your goals accordingly and allocate time to each task .Here we cannot bring inchromosomes etc but our own health in general regarding coping with the task and accordingly carry out each by its own merit  just by appropriate time management.

Good things happen when you get your priorities straight.- Scott Caan

According as the need of time I used to set my priority of works.

one has to comsider fedeadlines of your commitments as well and then divide your time accordingly be it reviewing an article ,finishing or editing it or completing any new article or preparinf fore any conference and one has to keep in mind looking at your patient schedule not getting disturbed if you are a medico although best thoughts come in early morning when the brain is fresh but then one can schedule according to to ones convenience although typically early hours of morning uis when ones brain is shartpest and intuitive process maximumand one can finish a task in an hour which one maytake hours at asnyother time of the day with a tired brain.

I always depend on the famous statement (TIME IS MONEY), as a basis to set my priorities.

Regards, Emad

Dear Krishnan Umachandran,

Thank you so much for upvoting my answer.

Regards, Emad