Important or Urgent?

May 8, 2014

~by Haley Lynn Gray~

In life, and in work there are always too many things that need to be done.  It can be difficult to figure out whether an issue is important or urgent.  Trying to figure out the difference can be hard, especially when work is coming at you at a hundred miles an hour.  People are screaming for things to get done.  There’s a lot of noise, and the important things don’t always stand out clearly from the merely urgent.

The trick is figuring out which things really have to happen, when the mountain of tasks is overwhelming, and which things may just be urgent, but which aren’t really important.  For instance- it may be urgent to send your boss status.  But, it’s really important to respond to a client who needs attention.  Which one do you take care of?  Well, what I’d do is let my boss know that my status is going to be late, after dealing with a client.  Most managers really want employees who are able to make good decisions, and who are willing to exercise that skill.  That means, figuring out what is important and what is urgent.

Where it gets really tricky is when you have something really important that you should be working on, but the urgent things keep popping in, requiring attention.  One case in point is that you need to put together the project plan for the next release, but there are so many bugs popping up that have to be touched by you and allocated to someone else.  The bugs that are popping up are all urgent, but if you don’t get the project plan out, the next release will be delayed.

In situations like this, it’s important to work with your management to determine proper priorities.  Obviously, you can’t work on multiple things at exactly the same point in time, so decisions have to be made about which activity is actually of higher value to the business.  It may be that in the case of bugs, they get delegated to someone else, allowing you time to do the project plan.  If you don’t raise awareness that this is happening, and communicate, then there is risk to the business.

Note that you have to be able to decide day-to-day on smaller issues, but larger issues really need to be brought up to management.  You’ll find yourself sorely burned for failing to communicate the risks and problems correctly, if you just ignore them.

It is key to be able to identify urgent and important.
.

Meet the Author: Haley Lynn Gray

Important or Urgent? 1

 

Haley helps female entrepreneurs create a strategy plan for their businesses – so they can make enough money to spend quality time with their family, pay for their children’s dance lessons, pay bills – and not worry about where the next client is coming from.

Haley is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Leadership Girl. She helps other entrepreneurs build their businesses by sharing the benefits of her business education and experience through Business Coaching.

Whether you want to get a new business off the ground or expand an existing business, Haley can assist you.

 

Connect with Haley:



 

 

 

Important or Urgent? 6

Categories

More Posts:

Top 5 Regrets Small Business Owners Have About Starting Their Business

If you're thinking about starting a small business, it's important to do your research and understand what you're getting into. There are a lot of different aspects to running a successful business, and it's not always easy. With that said, here are the top 5 regrets...

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

We invite many people who can invest in our Akiba Ya umoja community benefit savings and investment group of Uganda to enable us expand our operations in Uganda

Occupational Hazards That Come With an Office Job

Working in an office can be a great way to make a living, but it also comes with certain risks. Sitting at a desk for long hours and staring at screens can lead to physical ailments that not only cause discomfort but could eventually lead to more serious health...

5 Strategies to Build Team Spirit in Your Business

The manner in which we connect and communicate with our staff members can have a considerable influence on their levels of motivation as well as their output. In this article, we explore a variety of psychological and motivational approaches that can inspire teams and...

Signs You’re Overexerting Yourself at Work

Work can become stressful and overwhelming for many reasons. Sometimes, issues in your personal life or work environment might cause you to overwork yourself.  If you’re trying to stay healthy as you work and maintain a good work-life balance, you should be aware of...

How Work Environment affects Employee Engagement

Various factors affect the effectiveness of your employees, and your work environment is at the top of the list. The atmosphere where your employees spend all their work hours directly and significantly impacts their performance. And it is a no-brainer that the...

Women’s Fitness Tips: How to Make Time for Exercise in Your Super-Busy Schedule

We’ve all gone down the social media rabbit hole during a lazy Sunday afternoon. Among the sea of influencers, we’ve also probably seen one that seems to have everything – the dream job, the perfect home, and, above all, time to fit a workout into her super-busy...

6 Ways to be a SUPER Mom

Mothers are the strongest. They carry a child, bear the pain of birthing, bring children up, fulfill all responsibilities, play several roles, and make it look oh so easy. That’s why we have given mothers the title of super mom. Society expects mothers to be...

How to Plan a Mid-Life Career Change

Moving into a different career can seem like an overwhelming challenge. However, if you have realized that you are no longer satisfied with your current role, making the switch can mean the difference between long-term happiness and long-term misery. Changing careers...

Culture and Psychology in the Workplace – How To Manage and Thrive in a Diverse Office

The success of any company begins at its core – the people. And when it comes to employee retention, according to British author, motivational speaker, and business consultant Marcus Buckingham, “People leave managers, not companies.” I work in a small office of...
Nyago Michael Emmanuel

Nyago Michael Emmanuel

We invite many people who can invest in our Akiba Ya umoja community benefit savings and investment group of Uganda to enable us expand our operations in Uganda

Signs You’re Overexerting Yourself at Work

Signs You’re Overexerting Yourself at Work

Work can become stressful and overwhelming for many reasons. Sometimes, issues in your personal life or work environment might cause you to overwork yourself.  If you’re trying to stay healthy as you work and maintain a good work-life balance, you should be aware of...

All Categories

Business Operations

Entrepreneur Interviews

Marketing, Networking, & Social Media

Self Care & Personal Development

Working Moms

Business Software and Technology

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Organizing Tips

Sales

Career Building

Family Businesses

Inspiration

Starting Your Own Business

Work-Life Balance

Communication

Hiring Help

Management & Leadership

Time Management & Priorities

Women in Leadership

Recent Posts

Why Your Business Should Offer HSA-Compatible Health Plans

Why Your Business Should Offer HSA-Compatible Health Plans

As a business owner, you have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to taking care of your employees. If you offer good benefits, such as healthcare, you’ll be more likely to hire and maintain the best employees.  Here are a few reasons why your business should...

When it’s Time to Hire an HR Professional for Your Company

When it’s Time to Hire an HR Professional for Your Company

As your business continues to expand, it might be a wise decision to employ an HR specialist who can help you manage and optimize your workforce. An HR expert brings with them essential services that will streamline the operations of your company while keeping your...

Why Your Office Needs High-Quality Chairs

Why Your Office Needs High-Quality Chairs

For any business or organization, the right office furniture is vital. Quality chairs are essential and can help bolster productivity, decrease employee health issues, and remain operable longer than budget substitutes. Investing in quality office chairs provides...

How to Quickly Capture Attention on Social Media

How to Quickly Capture Attention on Social Media

Social media is invaluable for marketers and business owners, especially those working with small businesses. It’s a great way to get the company in front of more people, allowing you to attract more customers. Of course, it’s not enough to just get seen on social...

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Tips for Starting a Gardening Business in Your Community

Embarking on a gardening business is a bewildering journey that promises both intrinsic satisfaction and monetary success. The paramount initial step is to scrutinize the varied gamut of services you would want to render, followed by an intricate search for tools and supplies to substantiate the execution of those services. Crafting a business and financial plan is an absolute must, especially given the burgeoning competition from fellow green-thumbed entrepreneurs amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing an online presence through a website and social media and designing business cards and flyers are integral to drumming up business. Lastly, building a loyal clientele and network is paramount for sustained success in the horticultural realm.

How to Protect Your Personal Finances From Black Swan Events

How to Protect Your Personal Finances From Black Swan Events

Life throws us an occasional curveball; it’s just a part of life. But what if your finances take a hit due to something outside of your control?  Black swan events are rare, but they occur and can cause massive financial losses. The key is to be prepared for the worst...