💛 SELGrade 3Lesson 20
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Balancing Priorities

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Sort tasks into must-do-first (urgent) and can-do-later (non-urgent)
  • 2Explain why deciding what comes first helps you stay in control of your time
  • 3Apply the four balancing steps — list, label, do urgent first, enjoy the rest
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Mini Lesson

A priority is something that deserves your attention before other things. Everyone has more things to do than time to do them — so deciding what to do first is one of the most important skills you can develop. When you manage priorities well, you feel less stressed, meet your commitments, and still have time for fun.

Must do first — urgent tasks

  • These have a deadline that is coming soon or cannot be moved — a quiz tomorrow, a project due today, a promise you made.
  • Ignoring urgent tasks leads to stress, poor results, and letting people down.
  • Ask: What will happen if I do NOT do this today? If the answer is bad — it is urgent.

Can do later — non-urgent tasks

  • These are worthwhile but have flexible timing — tidying your desk, planning a future project, choosing what book to read next.
  • Non-urgent tasks are important too, but they can wait until urgent tasks are handled.
  • Spending all your time on non-urgent tasks while ignoring urgent ones is a common trap.

How to balance priorities

  • List everything you need to do.
  • Label each task: urgent or non-urgent.
  • Do urgent tasks first — then enjoy non-urgent ones without guilt.
  • Protect time for rest and fun — a good balance includes both work and play.
Priority sorting — urgent versus non-urgent tasksTwo columns. Left: Must Do First — urgent, has a deadline, bad result if ignored, examples: project due today, quiz tomorrow, promise made. Right: Can Do Later — non-urgent, flexible timing, examples: tidy desk, plan future project.Must Do First vs. Can Do LaterMust Do FirstUrgentHas a deadlineBad if ignoredProject due todayQuiz tomorrowPromise to helpPack bag tonightDo these first!Can Do LaterNon-UrgentFlexible timingCan be movedTidy your deskPlan next bookDesign somethingWrite a letterDo after urgent ones.
Two columns — Must Do First (urgent, deadline) and Can Do Later (non-urgent, flexible) with example tasks.
Balance scale showing priorities and free timeA balance scale. Left pan holds Urgent Tasks done first. Right pan holds Rest and Fun. The beam is level, representing a healthy balance. Below, the four balancing steps are summarized.A Balanced DayUrgent tasksdone firstRest and funwithout guiltList - Label - Do urgent firstThen enjoy the rest guilt-free!
A balance scale with urgent tasks (done first) and rest and fun (guilt-free) — a good day has both, in the right order.
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Self-check: What is the most urgent thing on your list right now? What is one thing that can wait?

Vocabulary
Priority
Something that needs to be done before other thingse.g. Practice is my priority after lunch.
Urgent
Needs to be done soon, often with a deadlinee.g. Tomorrow's quiz makes studying urgent.
Non-urgent
Important but with flexible timing — can wait if needede.g. Tidying my desk is non-urgent.
Balance
Making time for both work and rest in your daye.g. I keep balance with study and play.
Task
A single piece of work or job to be completede.g. Reading my chapter is one task.
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← Lesson 19: Making Fair Group DecisionsLesson 21: Managing Time Effectively →