Think about 2 things you know you should be doing, that you are just not doing at present, and if you did these you would feel more successful, more balanced and more fulfilled.
These things may include:
- Exercising - Saving
- Studying - Spending Time with loved ones
- More prospecting whilst things are great - Meditation
- Going on that long deserved holiday - Renovations or fixing that leaking tap
- Updating your will - Completing that report
Why do we put off the important things?
1. We"re addicted to the urgency.
Many of us thrive on a sense of urgency to get things done. Emergencies, deadlines and popular activities "act on us". These are the type of activities that "must be done" and as a result of engaging in these, the things that "should be done" get shelved for later... in other words...we procrastinate the important.
Consistent attention to these things qualifies us to be experts in crisis management. We may become the local fire fighters at work. Whilst our heroic crisis management efforts may save the day at work and earn us the praise of many, the real heroes who spend their time in prevention and preparation get little recognition.
Urgency, like any other drug, appeals to our sense of heightened immediate attention and soon lulls us into a state of not knowing the things that really matter most.
2. "Important Things" don"t have a sense of urgency.
If exercising had a sense of urgency about it, we would all exercise today. But things that "should be done" do not "act on us". We need to "act on it".
How do we give the important things a sense of urgency? The answer lies in point 3.
3. We don"t know how to plan and balance our priorities
Most of us who do schedule our activities and priorities do so on a daily basis. Isn"t this tantamount to crisis management? Daily planning becomes a "must be done" to save us from ruin.
The key to planning our activities and priorities is weekly planning in advance. Not just work and appointments, but exercise, fun, dates, reading, family, socialising, fishing, golfing and other important things. Whilst we may not plan spontaneity (e.g. intimacy - surely that"s not diarised?), the paradox is that planning carefully helps us to be more spontaneous.
Once we have integrated a sense of the above three points, the key to maintaining the habit of getting the important done is Personal Integrity.
The more we keep our promises to ourselves, the more we feel good about ourselves. Our self-image increases. Our interpersonal relationships improve. We feel we can be trusted. And when we feel great about ourselves, isn"t it amazing how business, health, social, mental and family starts to improve?
Do the things you should be doing! You know what they are.