{"id":6819,"date":"2020-04-28T18:41:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-28T23:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.managementcenter.org\/?post_type=resources&p=6819"},"modified":"2025-09-23T23:24:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T23:24:28","slug":"how-to-actually-reprioritize","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.managementcenter.org\/resources\/how-to-actually-reprioritize\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reprioritize Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reprioritization is the process of adjusting your existing priorities in response to new information, shifting demands, or emerging opportunities.<\/strong> It\u2019s a crucial skill for managers, especially when navigating change or uncertainty<\/strong>. While letting go can be hard, especially when everything feels important, it can also prevent burnout<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you reprioritize, you reassess conditions so you can focus on work that has the greatest impact right now, <\/em><\/strong>without losing sight of longer-term goals. <\/strong>This helps your team decide what to keep doing, adjust, or stop.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reprioritization often brings up big decisions. <\/em><\/strong>Enroll in TMC\u2019s <\/em>Making Better Decisions<\/em><\/a> training for practical tools and a proven framework. You\u2019ll gain confidence and hands-on experience so you can gather high-quality input, clearly communicate, and build equity into your process.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is Reprioritization Important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reprioritization helps you respond to change effectively. <\/strong>Maybe you need to make room for a new strategic campaign, or manage unexpected staff turnover, or invest in mental health support for students or staff. When you reprioritize, you redirect your time and energy<\/strong> where it’s needed most, so you can stay focused on your biggest rocks<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine you\u2019re driving and you approach a roadblock. Do you\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Sit and yell at the cones?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Force your car through the block?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Find a new route?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Reprioritization is finding that new route<\/strong> instead of sticking to an old plan that no longer works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Managers: <\/em>Make sure your direct reports reprioritize, too.<\/strong> It may not be easy for staff to approach you about adjusting workloads; they might feel the need to prove themselves or \u201cearn\u201d their place by just dealing with the traffic jams and roadblocks in their sphere. Research shows this is especially true for staff from marginalized communities. So, you should proactively check in about pain points and communicate that it\u2019s okay to shift priorities. In fact, let them know you expect them to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Use our step-by-step guide <\/strong>below for practical strategies to help you reprioritize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 1: Clarify What You\u2019re Running Toward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s natural to feel scarcity around time, energy, or resources. Reprioritization won\u2019t fix all your budget woes or calendar crunch times, but it can help you adjust the time and energy you spend on lower-impact work. Your goal: making space to focus on what\u2019s most important right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before you shift anything, get grounded in your bigger picture. Ask yourself: what am I running toward?<\/strong> In other words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n