How to deal with changing priorities in the workplace

Shifting priorities is a time robber that creates more confusion in our work environment than any other.  In many work areas, shifting priorities happens so often and so quickly that the employees ends up confused and without a feeling of fulfillment from their work.

Your goal is probably to break this this habit in order to increase your levels if time management so that you can get more work done, right?  But what if we have a job where our priorities are constantly being shifted for us?  How can we adapt to the negative effects of having our priorities shifted at work by our boss or managers?

Sure this type of environment can be very exciting for some personality types, but only if the “shifts and starts” have meaning and purpose.  Without knowing and seeing a purpose behind an action, most people will feel like they are being jerked around and not taken seriously for their talents.  

There has actually been documented scientific studies that examined the effects of shifting priorities.  Studies were conducted by scientists where rats are conditioned to certain noises, smells, and procedures which will bring the rats a desired food treat.  Once the rats learn the procedures involved, they can gain access to this food whenever they want.  The result is extremely healthy and happy rats.  Once the rats have reached this healthy state, however, the scientists begin to change the rules (shift priorities).  Now the rats find that following the “usual procedures” does not produce the desired results.  After they have learned the new procedure, the rules are then changed again (another shift in priorities), and the rats have to start over from scratch.  After experiencing several of these shifts in direction (priorities), the rats at first respond to being very irritable and hostile.  Then, once reaching a level of extreme maximum frustration, they will either sit doing nothing, or in some cases die.  Of course we are not rats, and our work places are not purposefully manipulated in this manner either.  However, there are some very interesting parallels.  

If you reach the point of frustration with priorities shifts at work, then consult with your higher-up about it.  Let management know that what you are seeking is simply to understand the situation and how you can best adapt to the process and be more productive.  Remember that a workplace with shifting priorities is a situation where you will have very little control, so you must either do what it takes to adapt, or leave the situation altogether by quitting your job.