If you have a choice each day in the tasks that you face, a choice between doing what is urgent and doing what is important, which do you choose?
Many of us, I fall into this trap at times still myself, find we're spinning our wheels, or chasing rabbits, or putting out fires, or whatever your favorite metaphor is for being too busy and can never seem to get the time to do the things that we know we should be, could be doing.
Listen.
No one ever got ahead in life, or became successful, by just doing the urgent things.
No one.
It just doesn't happen.
The people who get ahead in life, the people who realize their goals, and achieve the things they want in their life, all have this trait in common.
They do what is important.
They do what is important even though it means putting off at least some of the things that are urgent, or seem urgent.
First it's important to realize what are the things in your life, work, relationships, that are truly urgent, and the difference between them and those things that make a lot of noise, or that we choose to worry about, and place too much urgency on getting them done.
Sometimes those things are just life, just living, doing our daily routines.
Not too long ago I set aside one day.
I decided that I would do nothing 'urgent.'
Nothing.
It wasn't really easy, let me tell you.
There were those emails, those little life things that kept creeping in, trying to distract me.
But I just kept thinking.
"Today is an important day."
Wow, what a day I had.
I accomplished more in that day than I had done in several days prior, nothing fell apart because I didn't do it that day, and I felt great about my day and myself.
Now I set aside time to do the important things.
Another thing I do is create an urgency for doing them.
This has a major, multiplying effect as well.
You'll see that less and less of the so-called urgent things are popping up.
By doing the important things, many of what used to be urgent things are no longer issues. Why? Because I'm ahead of the game.
Take the time to do what you know is key to your success, development, and growth.
Try it.
Pick one day, or part of a day if that's too much for you at first.
And have an "important day."
Allen Williams is a professional educator, speaker and writer. Get a free subscription to the PowerMeUp Newsletter and Goal Setting and Getting Course with a bonus book for a limited time at: http://www.powermeup.com Personal and Professional Growth
What with the millions of words printed every day about... Read More
Let's get right to the point, folks.We're all looking to... Read More
Bank account bare? Bedroom barren? Body running on empty? Buddha... Read More
Whoever first said that knowledge is power was probably selling... Read More
Let me ask you a question? What must happen for... Read More
Affirmations are emotionally driven statements of intention and faith that... Read More
Believe it or not, there is a special 3-step formula... Read More
So you want to be successful (whatever that means to... Read More
The single most important quality you can ever develop that... Read More
In my audio program Book Yourself Solid, The 7 Keys... Read More
Taking action is the strongest way to create success in... Read More
Challenges posed by recent economic and market shifts, though predicted... Read More
So you've bought into the idea that you need to... Read More
When Julie looks through the lens of her camera she... Read More
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in... Read More
Commit yourself to spending time only with people who are... Read More
It sounds simple- right? You are where you THINK you... Read More
In individualistic success models, success is not due to the... Read More
Formula For SuccessThe winners in this life know the rules... Read More
Building wealth isn't something for the frightened, ignorant, and lost.... Read More
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our... Read More
Lets face it, no one enjoys rejection. But the reality... Read More
Are you on the right track?Stop for a while, look... Read More
Choose a personal theme song and soundtrack that stirs you... Read More
Normally a long memory is an advantage but not if... Read More
Imagine living in the world that Helen Keller found herself... Read More
I was in the gym, pushing my adolescent muscles to... Read More
A Lifelong Learning Plan is a conscious, continuous engagement in... Read More
Each human being, who exists above the level of simple... Read More
Being a spiritual teacher has continually frightened me. Not because... Read More
If you want to be successful in life, business, or... Read More
The Great Library of Alexandria once held the wisdom of... Read More
Hi, Jim Rohn here. This month we focus on accelerating... Read More
I see it happen all too often on the internet... Read More
If you want to be rich and famous, you have... Read More
I've been thinking a lot about what I believe to... Read More
To have a high probability of becoming prosperous, you have... Read More
You're enjoying a perfectly shallow conversation with a good friend... Read More
We have all read about people who are successful briefly.... Read More
Jim Rohn wrote in his book The Five Major Pieces... Read More
Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of... Read More
I'm going to begin this article by sharing a little... Read More
I have often been asked the question, "What is true... Read More
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.... Read More
I am sure that you're familiar with the old formula... Read More
As a speaker and trainer, people often approach me after... Read More
I always say to my children, as long as you... Read More
What is Optimum Performance? This question raises different responses from... Read More
When most of us are asked the most important possession... Read More
Everything we do in life involves risk. There's no growth... Read More
Success |