On Saturday, January 24, 2026, participants gathered for the session titled Setting Priorities by Nahu S. Girma, Founder and Executive Director of AWiB, a reflective conversation on why prioritizing often feels difficult, even when what matters most is already clear.

The session created space for participants to pause, step out of day-to-day urgency, and examine the internal and external factors that influence decision-making. Through guided reflection and open conversation, participants explored how unclear purpose, emotional discomfort, constant demands, and the pressure to appear productive often lead to reactive choices rather than intentional ones.

Participants recognized familiar patterns such as confusing activity with progress, delaying difficult decisions, and prioritizing urgency over impact. These habits, while common, were identified as barriers to meaningful progress and alignment.

The session emphasized that prioritization is not a time problem, but a problem of clarity and courage. Even avoiding a decision is still a choice, and what is not prioritized continues to shape outcomes in quiet but powerful ways.

Key Points

• Prioritization often feels challenging despite good intentions
• Lack of clarity and emotional discomfort drive reactive decision-making
• Busyness is frequently mistaken for effectiveness
• Avoiding decisions may feel safer short term but has long-term consequences
• Prioritization requires conscious choice, not constant reaction

Major Takeaways

• Priorities must be rooted in purpose and values, not tasks alone
• Saying no is an essential leadership and self-management skill
• Impact comes from intentional choices, not activity
• Cognitive overload pushes people into survival mode rather than strategic thinking
• Even not choosing is a choice, and it carries consequences
• Clear priorities reduce confusion, misalignment, and unnecessary friction

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