The Tyranny of The Urgent

The Tyranny of The Urgent

August 31, 2011 in Ideas, Opinions

Every day we are bombarded with messages from all manner of devices; lists and schedules, commitments and priorities, all driven by the agendas we have chosen and the agendas imposed upon us by others. The economic crisis has left behind a leaner, more productive work force and our individual productivity, the highest of any industrialized nation, has come with a cost. If we are not careful, the cost we pay may come in the form of diminished civility and by definition, a diminished quality of life. The resources that once made us a great people – our compassion, ingenuity and common humanity – have suffered and are becoming part of the sense of scarcity that imperils the well being of our economy and the very future of our democracy. One need only look to the political theater that passes for political discourse to find evidence of this assertion.

Time for thoughtful reflection and communication should not be a luxury afforded only to spiritual leaders, writers and practitioners of Bikram Yoga. Compassion, kindness, courtesy and concern for our neighbors should not be values we engage in only when we have completed our to-do list or when business is good. These are values and practices that define the very quality of life we are all working towards.

It occurs to me that if we are to rebuild our organizations, our communities and our families in this time of turbulent change, we must learn to distinguish between what is urgent and what is important. Getting the overdue project we are working on off our desk is urgent. Treating an intern with respect, taking time to pause, reflect, contribute and provide a measure thoughtfulness and civility in our engagement with others – these actions are often not urgent, but they are important. They are important contributors to the quality of life we create for ourselves, our co-workers and the people closest to us.

So, I hereby pledge myself to resist the tyranny of the urgent and make time for what is genuinely important…… as soon as I finish the presentation I have to get out the door first thing in the morning.

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