Earlier this month I had a conversation with Simon Lamb who is a dear friend of mine and brilliant thinker. He pushes me to do better and be better.
We were both discussing our need to focus on family and other things beyond our work. We talked in the context of the famous 2×2 matrix of urgent and important made popular by Steven Covey and we realized that today, that matrix doesn’t serve us as well. The pace of change and the speed at which we are demanded to get things done is dramatically different than it was in the 80’s. There are more things that are urgent and important so that quadrant is being filled with fewer and fewer urgent and not important items.
The mistake I’ve made in the past is considering urgent as something that requires speed. It is “urgent” so it needs to be done quickly. When I do something quickly, the likelihood of making mistakes goes up. The dictionary defines urgent as
requiring immediate action or attention
This definition was a shift for me. Yes, there is an element of speed with the word “immediate” but what jumped off the page for me was requiring action or attention.
So, when Simon and I were talking about our sense of urgency for the work that we do and the need to put a few things on pause to spend time with our family he said:
It’s urgent, slow down
Simon Lamb
Those four words, when put together, don’t sit right. It feels paradoxical yet this single sentence encapsulates years or research and experience. Slowing down enables us to give action and attention that will yield a better outcome.
Next time you are feeling pressure and “urgency” press pause. Take a minute to think about what action and attention is needed to move that thing forward. Don’t race for racing’s sake but do things well because you care. Your family, colleagues, friends, and self will thank you.
