The Urgency of Importance
In Stephen Covey’s book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” he talks about the difference between Important and Urgent matters, and how dividing our time in a balanced way between those two types of activities can make us more or less effective.
It’s amazing how something that urgently demands our attention almost always seems to appear important. But is it? Understanding how to recognize the two as separate has really been an eye-opener for me and has helped me prioritize how I spend my time.
Urgent matters require our immediate attention; we react to urgent needs. It could be something as simple as putting down a book we are studying to answer a question shouted from the next room.
Every one of us probably knows someone who’s permanently in crisis mode, constantly putting out fires, busy, busy, busy. But, have you noticed, that type of person is frequently stuck somewhere shy of their goals because they never seem to have the time to get to the things they say are important to them?
I am not saying that urgent matters are always not important. A true crisis must be tended to. But a problem—something like figuring out how to clear the cache on your computer so it runs smoother—must take a number and wait behind matters that actually are important.
Important activities are those that help you get closer to the goals you have set for yourself. Important tasks frequently are things we must do on our own initiative, without some outside circumstance creating a sense of urgency. Important things come in all sizes, but usually require planning and effort, sometimes simply to prevent situations from becoming urgent. For example, taking care of your own body now is important because it may help you to avoid a future consumed by illness and urgent visits to the doctor. (I have barely missed the gym since I had this epiphany!)
We ignore important tasks early in the day or early in life, they have a way of escalating into urgent situations.
It’s probably becoming apparent that one thing that’s extremely important is to separate important tasks from urgent ones and assign them time appropriately. Once you’ve clarified that something is important, it’s your responsibility to assign a sense of urgency and get it done. If you’re an entrepreneur, think about the aspects of your business that are urgent as opposed to important. Consider delegating urgent tasks by getting an assistant. Your effectiveness will dramatically increase if you start spending by far the greatest percentage of your time attending to the important things. If you take care of the important tasks you’ll keep them from becoming urgent and reduce the amount of time devoted to crisis management in your life.
As I said, time for mortals is finite. In fact, we never really know when we’ll run out of it. To make matters more complicated, there turns out to be truth in the old saying that you never have enough time to do everything you’d like to do. So you really do need to decide what is important, and take care of business!
Posted: June 14, 2009
Filed under: Jays' Letters
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I love the idea of hvaing more time for all the important things in life as we miss out on so much because we never seen to get enough done on our own,great advies to live by an to consiter for the furture. I hope to use this myself asap. EG.
Hello Jay
It’s time, time’s up, dead-line, you got until, you get this much to get this done, can I count on you, you are the one we need and on and on. I have gone above and beyond what was to be done and expected, The ones that I said no to it was OK life still goes on, it will get done with or with out you. When you have someone step in and handle certain operations for you that helps for sure but is the profit great enough to conquer the head ache, maybe but fun of giving someone the chance gives you the experience that one could use in future for other projects of greater value for everyone. Thanks for everything Jay
Darwin Schmidt
I understand I need to prioritize to help get more done! Very important information for everyone to practice.
The letter makes perfectly since but with you accommlished what you wanted to get done in one day and you wheels are turning on how to feed your family and how to make money online when you are disabled and no one will hire you it drives me insane. I am a hard worker and a good listener and take directions well but no wants to give me a opportunity like a apprentise. They say they make millions with their system and they want to show you how for $$$$$, if they really wanted to help, put a cap on their expence as a right off on their taxes and really help some people in need!
It is imperative to effectively use time (a very scarce resource when you are quite busy) in any given day and setting to be constatntly producing the desired results.
“Yes Jay, I compliment you for your thoughts. I have ‘mentored’ with Steven Covey
for many years. But even with that experience, I still have the problem of looking
over “one’s shoulder”, aka, “don’t forget the people around you, and honor and
cherish them” We as mortals, are so confused nowadays with the economy, that we
forget our loved ones. If we can ‘focus’ on that, reality does come into play. We
MUST change our way of thinking, (I hope), and be a better Guardian of our resources
know as “Money”.You offer an excellent program….and I will entertain it shortly,
but see…..I just made an excuse!!!! Slap me silly!!! Be good, James
Easier Said Then Done!!……But well Worth the Effort!!
Thanks for the reminder Jay..if at first you don’t succeed…..
It is absolutely truth that people never have enough time to do everything you’d like to do. So you really do need to decide what is important, and take care of business!
“We ignore important tasks early in the day or early in life, they have a way of escalating into urgent situations.” Wow does this ever hit home for me. I have devoted my life as a nurse to caring for others only to find I should have taken the time to take better care of me. Thinking as a young nurse that the harder I worked and the more I worked the more finacially secure I would be as I neared mid-life. If only I would have been more astute in how to prioritize and pace myself I would not be in the place I am now in life which is truly no closer to financial security than I was 25 years ago. At 49 my body and mind are tired. I have given up so many enjoyable things in life only to work harder and give myself to others.Don’t get me wrong I have no regrets in choosing the path to care for others.In fact it has been very self gratifying however, It is so true that “you really do need to decide what is important, and take care of business!”
Dear Jay, when we´ll have the full version to Carbon Copy in Sapnis? on this year i´m going to start the busisness and I want to open the Spanish market, think about it, All over Canada, US, Mexico and all Latin America.
RC
Ihanks Jay I read that book and quite a few others but my urgencies are usually inportant also. I am a crisis expert and I know that what I address in my life are important urgencies. They are a few people, whose lives have this combo.I envy those folks who have important situations that are not urgent. I have those on rare occasions. I live from one crisis to the next, it ia almost like a loop, but guess what, I have found a way out Jay. I call it: For the loving of life and my sunshine. I have created my own excellence outside of my chaos. I am doing well inspite of these urgent important crises. It is possible to have it all it must be created, even when it is only real in your own head. I have a very good life that way.
jay; i’m with you ; all the way.. when your young; you think everything; is under controll..nope.. your fooling yourself; and everyone around you; things you think are important; never is important.. life is way too short; you will know this when you have grandchildren; the greatest; miracle in your life..your family; as a whole; appears much much more;careing; loving; and responsive in all areas; of your life..close family ties; as they were; 50yrs ago; need to come back; in the house.. especially during; these stressfull times; in our great country..death before dishoner..nam ver 1968-69… thank you; mr. frank delaurentiis………….
- oh my! Listening to Yoko Ono’s ” walking on thin ice ” – truly a masterpiece! – how many people know that she is 76 years old? please advise…
Dear Jay
Sorry I am too busy doing important things today so I can not read the great article you have written!!! Going live with my website on 1st July then I can CCP like crazy.
Have a great week.
Your next millionaire
Kat
PS Come to Australia and do Alice to Phink in your little buggie thingie!!
It’s all about keeping your focus on the things that will bring you closer to your dreams. Great article, Jay.
Thank you Jay..I have plenty of time and really need to start doing something with my time. Like getting hooked up with Carbon Copy Pro so that I can have something to do with my time rather than sitting here on the internet all day doing absolutely nothing. I could be making money for sitting if I just sit down and think about what means the most to me in my life. And being financially happy and being able to achieve financial freedom and do and get those things in life I always wanted. Thanks Jay!
HI JAY,
Finally i get to say hello ,i,ve enjoyed listening to everything you have had
to say & that has been many,but i still can,t get out out of my web page ,forward
i can go back but not forward i,m ashamed to say!
but i still listenevery chance i get & if i get another i bet i can go forward!
Thanks for letting me listen,
Talk Soon
*ruby ellen*
These are strong words of inspiration and motivation. Never has such a message been given out for free. This will get me out of procrastination.
Thank you so much Jay.
Hi Jay,
Years ago I skippered a fishing boat on the great barrier reef with a crew of nine men. Priorities were important both in port or at sea,selling product,safty at sea ect. To be honest those skills in me could use a polish as I have not run a buisness for servral years.
Thanks for info.
My dream 1º is have one webside,2ºhave one program like Yours,3º can sale some thing true internet,4º change my live because i been brock my all live,is time to change and i need a help.
Can You help me JAY?
I will be great full.
Francisco Vicente
From Cape Verde Islands.
Thank You very mach.
Hi Jay
Like what your saying. Having read the book I try to put my daily schedule into perspective by using Stephen’s time management matrix; staying in the 2nd quadrant. Prioritising is fundamental to your success and a great way to get you back on track
Hi Jay
Very important information for everyone to practice.
Leena
Hi Jay
Very important information for everyone to practice.
Leena
Thanks Jay,Whenever you send messages like this it makes me ask myself am I doing everything possible today towards my goals.I finish most things on my daily “to do list” but it is easy to get stuck on one thing like twitter.There’s only 24 hours in a day and time never comes back so I’ve ordered a countdown timer to assign a certain amount of time for each task.A residual income and the awesome future is getting closer.Thanks for your wisdom Jay.
Thank you jay, for opening my eyes, its me who is so lazy, to always make important tast to urgent one, and then rush, then complain why me, wish i can change my self, for my loved one, for my little kids, i have 3 1/2, and 4 1/2, little boy, they are center of my life, i loved them too much, wish i could change my world to make important matter taken care in time so it never become urgent, all i can say i will try my best but i will say please God help me, to be strict on this agenda in my life, and credit will go to you jay, i will and always going to pray for you hope so inshallah,
Having time, making time, finding time, all has its place. Everything in the article is true. And we all want so much to be able to spend more time not just with our family but also with ourselves. What I wish is that someone could have gotten this message to the man that just killed his wife and 2 kids and himself because he gave up on hope and faith and the fact that as long as you have breath you can make a difference in your life. Whether you join this group or another, never give up. Get locked in to CHANGE and save your life!!!!
Wow! Jay that really hit home for me. I was so busy making sure that i studied how to write articles and press releases that i never actually wrote any. You have just opened my eyes! Thank you for always changing my mindset. Joining this community was the best thing to happen to me. I love my CCPRO family. Jay, keep the great advice flowing.
You are so right by the urgeny of importance and for letting people be aware of this, my husband always said not to put off for tomorrow do it now.We made time
for ourselves to have a cup of tea together at nights after putting the children
to bed.We were never too tired for each other it was well worth the love, now it is two and a half years since he passed away it was love at first sight for him
we were married for 45yrs, when Ithik of him I still feel secure and important.
Thank you susan
Pls jay, help to show me how to make money in the internet marketing, cos i really need a change in my finance. Thanx
Life without purpose is meaningless. Life without GOD is worthless. No JESUS, No
peace. Know JESUS, Know peace. Only then will you truly realize your real purpose
in life. If thou will confess with thy mouth that Jesus is the son of GOD and that GOD raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved.
its true that all our work should be prioritize. whatever is return in this article is based on true facts. I would like to join this as soon as possible but lack of money is a big drawback for me.
i wish i could be part of it.
Thank you jay for all the letters that you sent to me . I find CCPro.com very important for the beginniers . because it easy to use and don’t take big efforts .only
when we join the group we start learning how it work and earning good funds weekly
Thanks again JAY for your helps , really you just offer to us a chance to make monney by the net & from home
I heven’t see more serious than yours
kindest regards
aissa M
you are so right by your urgent importance so aplogise you because i have no time right now but i wish more help
Hey, Thanks alot for this additional insight. I intent to input this into my sch
Hi Jay,
Thanks for ur wounderful acticle.
I’ll like to get more of it from u. I will also like to share
thesame view with Mr. JOHN RUSSEL that talked on Keeping Focus to ur
Dream. It’s one thing to have a dream and it’s another thing to achieve
ur dream or making ur dream come thru.
In other to achieve ur dream, one has to be focus and time concious.
Hey Jay! It’s wonderful hearing from you again. I like the subject of Urgency of Importance. However, I wish to observe that in-between Urgency and importanc is the factor of necessity. I believe something could be important or urgent but not necessary. Urgency could be such a reflex issue such as a scream for help that makes one “drop a book one is reading” whereas importance could align to our wants or desires in terms of priority. However, necessity is the product of the filtration of both the urgent and the important in terms of core values derivable therefrom. n other words, necessity is the sum total of the needed grain sifted from the chaffs. Yes, I appreciate the thought all the same as of a truly motivational value.
you can do what ever you like all you got to do is try. i try to reach out an learn what ever i can you must not every stop dreaming it is out there i just have trouble some times finding it but it will come some day the story you wrote is very truy i in joyed it
Hi Jay, how can I become a part of this success story happening to people through you.
G’day,
Jay Jay Jay,
Man I am glad i figured out how to clear the cache years ago, but yes we can waste a lot of time on useless projects.
Looking forward to hanging with you and the community in the Dominican a few weeks from now. Got my airline ticked booked the other day, business class otherwise known as first on Air Canada, a great way to start off a week of luxury.
Kirk
Remember the Time Matrix, it will help you decide what is urgent or not and in most cases, like Jay says, it typically is not urgent.
Greg
yes in deed urgency of importance is very important,look any body could run out of time, Mickel jackson, is the example, any one and every one could run out of time,so it is important to be always known, the important matters, and the urgent matters,
AS we know practice makes perfect so the best idea is to practice, so i want to be there as quick possible and start.