Weekly Thought – May 6, 2014
Fred said, “I have never felt pressured by time.” He refused to give in to the press of extraneous demands which took control of his life. He clearly defined his schedule. This did not mean he lacked a sense of urgency. In fact, his ability to prioritize and to take action marked his life. He once asked pro athlete Craig Morton what it takes to be a great quarterback. His answer, “The ability to relax under fire.”
Sharing these bits of Fred-thought each week is a joy and a blessing. Thank you for your continual support and encouragement. We enjoy being part of your Tuesdays and hope the wisdom strengthens you.
The Necessity of Urgency
If you lack a sense of urgency, then you must have nothing important in your life.
Some of my retired friends tell me a problem they face is the flattening out of their priority list — everything becomes equally important. One of the great motivations of life is that things have to be done at a certain time and in a certain way… you develop urgency around them. Without this, you lose zest in life. The study saying executive men have a life expectancy of 19 months past retirement reflects the lack of urgency. Retirees who engage in activities which allow them to insert urgency and prioritization into their lives out live the charts.
It is critical to discipline our urgency. This is the difference between healthy drive and panic which is one of the unhealthiest of our emotions. My entire life I have tried to live with the maxim: “Don’t panic.” This allows me the freedom to operate in tight situations with clarity.
I remember having prepared very intensely for a talk to the Texas Bankers’ Convention. The evening before, I reached into my briefcase for the presentation. To my horror, there wasn’t a single piece of paper in there. I realized I left the file in the trunk of my car which was at the dealership for repair and totally unavailable.
There I was unable to remember any of the talk. The subject was too specific to use any of my other material. My first words to myself were, “Don’t panic.” I knew if I did, I would be ineffective. I spent that night recalling, assimilating, and assembling. Thirty minutes before I spoke, I was ready. If I had allowed myself to panic, it would have thrown my mind out of gear.
Genuine urgency allows us to focus on the task at hand and enjoy the results of the effort. I welcome the positive stress of urgency as one of the great engines of an energetic life.
This week think about: 1) What am I doing to avoid panic? 2) How do I relax under fire? 3) When do I feel most energetic?
Words of Wisdom: “I welcome the positive stress of urgency as one of the great engines of an energetic life.”
Wisdom from the Word: “I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.” (Joshua 1:9 NET Bible)