If it’s not urgent – Pretend it is (via Rich S.)

That was the subject line of an email I received from Rich Schefren a couple of days ago.  It got my attention immediately.

“What’s he selling with a subject line like that?” I thought, scrolling to the bottom.

Turns out he wasn’t selling anything.  Just a message that stopped me up short and has had me thinking ever since.

I think it’s really worth your time, so I’m posting it here.  (The story is kind of corny, but the point is anything but.)

—

Many entrepreneurs struggle with their effectiveness.

A common culprit is they’re living a lie. Allow me to
explain…

You see a key reason for ineffectiveness is when you’re
convinced you’ve got plenty of time. This approach
rarely works when getting things done.

What ends up happening when you’re infected with
this line of thinking is: non-urgent tasks get banished
to the depths of your unconscious where they take
their toll until there’s a crisis.

And then it IS urgent.

Instead, if a task is important but not urgent pretend it
is urgent. If something doesn’t need to get done for a
week, pretend it is needed this afternoon.

The net effect: you’re first reaction will often get the
job done quickly and efficiently. And you’ll avoid
having the story below happen to you…

An entrepreneur came home from work late again. He
was tired and irritated. His 5-year old son waiting for
him at the door.

SON:   ‘Daddy, may I ask you a question?’
DAD:   ‘Yeah sure, what it is?’ replied the man.
SON:   ‘Daddy, how much do you make an hour?’
DAD:   ‘That’s none of your business. The man said angrily.
SON:   ‘I just want to know. Please tell me, what do you make an hour?’
DAD:   ‘Fine. I make $50 an hour.’
SON:   ‘Oh,’ the little boy replied, with his head down.
SON:   ‘Daddy, may I please borrow $25?’

The father was mad, ‘If the only reason you asked
me is so you can borrow some money to buy some silly
toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself
straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why
you are being so selfish. I don’t work hard everyday
for such selfish behavior.’ The little boy quietly went
to his room and shut the door.

The entrepreneur sat down and got even more mad about
the little boys’ questions. How dare he ask such questions
only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and
started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed with the $25.00
and he really didn’t ask for much money. The man went to
the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door. ‘Are
you asleep, son?’ He asked. ‘No daddy, I’m awake,’ replied
the boy. ‘I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you
earlier’ said the man. ‘It’s been a long day and I took out
my aggravation on you. Here’s the $25 you asked for.’

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. ‘Oh, thank you daddy!’
he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some
crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had
money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly
counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.
‘Why do you want more money if you already have some?’
the father grumbled. Because I didn’t have enough, but
now I do,’ the little boy replied. ‘Daddy, I have $50 now.

Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early
tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.’
<<end of story>>

Always remember this: you’ve got a life to live -so getting your work done IS urgent otherwise you (and those you love) pay the price.

—

Okay, so there’s “good urgency” (the joyous adrenaline rush that comes when you’re in the flow, at the peak of your power, doing the work you’re meant to do) and “bad urgency” (“OMG the clock is ticking and THE HOUSE IS GOING TO EXPLODE if I don’t make this deadline!”).

Personally, I don’t like operating in a state of urgency all the time.  It’s not good for me.  (Good urgency is positively blissful, but sometimes a calmer pace is more supportive, of both me and the work.)

But the state of urgency is not the point.

The point is, these are your life minutes we’re talking about here.

Minutes of your life.  Your most precious resource.

When I let a project take too long, even if it’s “for a good reason” (I was sick, the family cat died – yes, really, just a few weeks ago in fact – whatever it is)… it weighs on me.  Even if it’s ever-so-subtle.  It’s hanging out, in the back of my mind, waiting-waiting-waiting, taking up mental and emotional attention.  (And let’s face it, bringing on the guilt.)

Is it worth it, putting up with that?  Or is it better to just push through?

Whether you call it procrastination or something else, waiting has a cost, in energy and life minutes.

To learn more about Rich Schefren and sign up for his mailing list, go here.