Be a Priority, not an Option

“Be a priority, not an option.” Sounds empowering, right? Well, it’s also a phrase we toss around in the workplace like confetti. But, how often do we actually live by it? Most of us are either running around trying to be a priority or hoping to be noticed while settling for that “option” status. So, let’s break it down in the context of work, shall we?

Picture this: you walk into the office with a coffee cup in hand, wearing your best “I’m ready to conquer the world” outfit. You’ve got the skills, the charm, and the credentials. Yet, somehow, you end up being the go-to person for everyone else’s coffee runs. They didn’t hire a barista; they hired you, the skilled professional. And there you are, nodding to fetch cappuccinos like it’s part of the job description. It’s time for a wake-up call (and no, not the double espresso kind) — you are a priority, not just the option they call upon when everyone else has “more important” things to do.

Workplace dynamics can be pretty hilarious. There are those who stroll in with an air of importance, and everything they say becomes the gospel. “Oh, James thinks we should go with Plan B? Well, if James said it, then it must be the only option!” And there you are, thinking, “Wait, wasn’t that my idea from two months ago that everyone laughed off?” Ah, the sweet irony of suddenly being an option until the ‘priority’ gives a green light. It’s like that VIP pass you didn’t get because you weren’t “James enough.”

Then there’s the classic case of “being available.” Somehow, in the workplace, availability is mistaken for enthusiasm. The more you say “Sure, I can handle that too,” the more you inadvertently scream, “I’m okay being the backup plan!” You know what happens next, don’t you? Suddenly, you’re juggling three extra projects, a couple of weekend meetings, and even the job of coordinating the office birthday party. Because hey, you’re the option that always comes through. Isn’t it just marvelous how being an option gets you an all-access pass to everything you didn’t sign up for?

So, how do you flip the script? Here’s where the humor kicks in. Imagine walking into a meeting, slamming down a binder filled with all the times you’ve saved the day when the so-called “priorities” flaked. “Remember when I stayed back late to finish the report? Yeah, let’s talk priority status here!” Sure, it’s dramatic, but it sets the tone. You’re not just the fallback plan. You’re the Plan A who never got the recognition sticker. It’s time to reclaim that sticker. Who knew prioritizing yourself would require the same strategy as climbing Mount Everest?

In all seriousness, it’s about setting boundaries — the kind that scream, “I am not your backup coffee-fetcher!” Start saying “no” to the tasks that make you feel like a spare part. There’s power in the word “no,” especially when paired with a raised eyebrow. You’ll notice an immediate shift in how others perceive you. Suddenly, you’re not the office genie granting wishes left and right. You’re the professional whose time is too valuable for menial tasks. It’s like magic, but without the fairy dust.

And for those who argue that being the “team player” means being willing to do anything, let’s not confuse being a team player with being the office doormat. A team player adds value, takes on meaningful responsibilities, and knows when to push back. Think of it this way: would you rather be the steering wheel of the project, guiding its direction, or the spare tire tucked away, used only when things go flat? Yeah, thought so.

It’s high time we redefine what it means to be a priority at work. It’s not about being the loudest or the most demanding. It’s about being so irreplaceable in your skill set, so essential in your contribution, that being treated as “just an option” becomes laughable. You’re not there to fill gaps when someone else drops the ball; you’re there to make a real impact. And if that impact doesn’t get noticed? Well, maybe it’s time to prioritize finding a place that will see you for the priority you truly are.

So, next time you catch yourself thinking, “Why am I always the fallback?” stop. Laugh at the absurdity of it all, and then remind yourself — loudly, if you must — “I am a priority, not an option.” The workplace is filled with people who are too eager to be the option. Let them have it. You’ve got better things to do, like being the priority they didn’t know they needed… until now.