setting priorities

​Communication: talking about priorities 8.4

By Constanza Gonzalez Aburto

DO NOW!

Choose the correct word

1. It's of the utmost/entire importance

2. This is really low/mini priority

3. You need to give this task a great/high priority

4. This e-mail is really/well urgent

5. It's likely/quite important that we have this meeting

6. The security check is extremely/plenty urgent

Word Cloud

What types/kinds of tasks could you receive at work?

5. A colleague asks you for some information you promised to send him/her last week.

6. You need to finish your English homework (due to be handed in next week)

7. You want to see the latest news online

8. A colleague wants to see how fast you can solve a Rubik's cube.

1. Your manager sends you an email with high priority.

2. You get an unexpected message notification on your phone

3. The fire alarm goes off. You suspect it might be a drill.

4. You receive a reminder about an interesting presentation later today.

In pairs: decide how you would prioritise these tasks:

Setting priorities: vocabulary

a. schedule
b. importance
c. put it off for a while
d. high priority, please
e. priority.
f. waste time
g. distraction
h. to do
i. time

endings

1. Don't

2. Put it in your

3. It is of utmost

4. Make it your number one

5. Do it today if you have

6. It's a bit of a

7. Put it at the bottom of your list of things

8. Give it a

9. You can

beginnings

Discuss with your partner

Be ready to share with the class

Using the vocabulary seen, talk about some reasons for the order you chose.

Example: The interesting presentation is neither urgent nor important because.....

Writing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPgMeKfQFq8

Situation 6:

• Lead a meeting with investors (tomorrow)

• Order coffee and snacks for the break room

• Check your personal phone messages

Situation 1:

• Prepare a presentation for a client (due tomorrow)

• Organize the company’s birthday lunch (next week)

• Reply to 20 internal emails

Situations

Situation 4:

• Welcome a new employee (today)

• Prepare for a job interview next week

• Print 50 flyers for a future event

Situation 2

• Call an important supplier to confirm delivery (due today)

• Attend a short team meeting

• Check the office printer paper

Situation 5:

• Resolve a customer complaint (urgent)

• Prepare documents for a meeting in 3 days

• Post a photo on the company’s social media

Situation 3:

• Finish a project report for your boss (deadline today)

• Update your LinkedIn profile

• Review last month’s invoices

Instructions

1. Read your business situation (see below).

2. Decide your rocks, pebbles, and sand.

3. Write a short email to your boss explaining your priorities for today.

4. Use 50–70 words.

5. Include:

   • Greeting

   • Explanation of top priorities (rocks)

   • Mention of medium priorities (pebbles)

   • Mention of small tasks (sand)

   • Closing line