It's About Time: Urgent vs Important

We've all been there: a cell phone ringing in the middle of dinner, a late night work e-mail entitled "emergency" or a special request from a friend that requires "immediate attention". We live in a world made up of full-time jobs, carpools, kids' soccer practices, PTA meetings, dinners by six, and piles of dirty laundry. We try being everything to everybody whether it is expected it of us or not.

It's easy to get caught up in reacting to the moment when we're constantly bombarded with one more thing to do. A quick trip to the grocery store can easily lead to a full-blown shopping trip with a stop at the dry cleaners, the post office and the gas station. Before we know it, three hours have flown by.

So how do we stop the madness? How do we find order? How do we get unstuck and move past overwhelm?

The first thing to do is to S-T-O-P. Put an end to rushing through your day tending to countless activities that pop-up suddenly. Your inclination may be to focus on fixing. If it's urgent, you're on it. This is why it is vital to take a moment to reflect before you act (or react).

You have goals, dreams and hopes that are important to you. On the other hand, you have everyday problems that call for immediate action. How can you stay focused on and work towards your long-term goals while accomplishing those tasks that call for your attention now? How can you find balance?

The following practices will assist you in taking a step back before jumping into immediate action:

1. Prioritize all things important.

Urgent matters can monopolize your time if you let them. And maybe those urgent matters can wait or maybe they aren't so urgent after all. While tending to these situations, the important projects- the ones that require time and dedication in order to be completed- will be pushed further and further down your priority list. Our most significant growth and progress are born out of doing more of what is important and less of what is urgent. Become aware that compromise between the two is essential.

Write down an inventory of where your energy is invested throughout an entire day and examine it. Highlight the blocks of time where you participated in activities that added value to your quality of life. Recognize how much energy you are exerting doing all of those urgent matters that could possibly be delegated or eliminated from your list altogether. Prioritize. Whether it means spending more time with your family, finishing a project or pursuing a passion, make room in your life to work on what is important to you. Create a mental list, write it down and get to work.

2. Don't be led by your impulses.

It is completely normal to want to solve every sudden problem or conflict as it arises. However, it is important to compartmentalize urgent situations as soon as they present themselves. Constant worry will lead to overwhelm. This feeling of overwhelm requires time and energy, and will result in mental gridlock. Focusing your energy on trying to resolve the immediate will distract you from achieving the important. Single out the most urgent of your urgent matters and reassess the rest. You may be surprised to find out that what you thought couldn't wait until tomorrow, actually can.

3. Don't be afraid to delegate.

You may like to believe that only you can do things "right" and others may fall short of your expectations. This attitude may be keeping you wondering where the day went and why you accomplished so little of what you really wanted to do. Make it a point to learn the art of letting go, even if it's with one small thing at a time. Give yourself the gift of receiving. Practice delegating matters that require immediate attention but don't necessarily require your specific attention. Remember, urgent doesn't always mean you, personally, have to tend to the matter at hand.

So, the whites are done and ready for the dryer and you have two loads waiting to get their turn, but you're dying to get to the gym. Pass the responsibility to a loved one or leave the laundry until you return. Participating in activities that keep you energized and motivated is very important in making you a priority in your own life. Laundry can usually wait.

4. Work on important matters first.

You know how it goes. You plan to meditate, enjoy a session of yoga, and read a chapter of a personal improvement book all before getting to the "have-to" part of your day. All of the sudden, something is thrown on your lap. Reluctantly, you decide to take care of it quickly so you can move on with your day. One thing leads to another, and by the time you look at the clock, hours have gone by. You don't meditate, you don't get to yoga and you don't get to read your book. You spend what is left of your day trying to catch up. You are left feeling depleted, frustrated and exhausted.

Most of us gravitate towards what we know. In the moment, it's easier to live within our comfort zones even if the end result is painful. Lasting change requires dedication, patience and commitment. Even though it may be easier to spend your day reacting instead of pro-acting, put a stop to that whirlwind by incorporating change that stems out of mindful, calculated action.

In moments of doubt, ask yourself the following questions to determine what is truly important to you:

- Will what I am about to do add significant value to my life or the lives of my loved ones?

- Is it vital that I find a solution to this conflict or can someone else be entrusted with the responsibility?

- Does the way I handle my day-to-day activities achieve balance in my life or am I feeling overwhelmed?

You can spend a day getting "stuff" done or you can spend a day working towards accomplishing important goals. Sure, you need to pick up your kids, grocery shop, finish the laundry and return those calls. Those things need to be done, but you can strike a balance. Asking the simple questions above will help you determine what is urgent and what is important, and just may take much stress out of your day while being more productive.