What's a Productive Life?

At the Institute I'm taking Gospel and the Productive Life. We've been talking about goal setting and are next going to tackle finances. This class has allowed me to evaluate how I do things, and why I do them like that.
example:
I've never been much for procrastination, and even less so now. If I know there is something I need to do, in school or around the house, rather than fight with it in my head, I get it done and out of the way so I can go on with my life basically guilt free.
This works with most things (one notable exception would be Visiting Teaching- very guilt laden).

Now I'm starting to notice something about Priorities.
I always seem to be bracing myself for having no time/money for the future. I live with this drive to do everything on my list in case at some future time, I won't have time to do it. (This existed long before Anna's impending arrival). Unfortunately this led me to have to limit myself.
Given all the class syllabi of a full college load, I would, with this fear, try to complete an entire course as soon as possible, because I wouldn't have time to do it later. I tempered this irrationality by doing homework for only one week of only one class - that way I know when I can stop, otherwise I would just keep doing homework and wear myself right out. This also leaves me with enough time at the end of the semester to finish up on papers and study for finals, especially because profs fall behind and if I keep a week ahead, eventually I will catch a free week.

anyway, I don't know if this rant is interesting or applicable, but it turns out that eventually prioritized items get accomplished and you should have some leisure time on your hands.
But what if I don't have time/can't afford to do the very lowest priorities on my list in the future? (this more easily applies to finances)