Are you busy being busy, or busy being productive?
Today's blog was inspired by some work I have been doing with my clients recently around the concept of whether they are busy being busy or busy being productive?
Have you ever understood the difference between the words important vs urgent?
Below is an image from the Tony Robbins Time of Your Life Program(copyright) which really resonated with me and I wanted to share it with you so you can truly understand the difference too.
We often think that we are very busy and the reason that we are "very" busy is that we have so many "urgent" things to do! Does this sound familiar to you?
Let’s look at the time targets and the areas in which we spend most of our time.
Let's start with the first circle, the
Dimension of Distraction: NOT URGENT, NOT IMPORTANT
This is when we find things to do that literally are just a distraction and pull us away from what we should be doing and what is actually important.
I bet you can guess what your distractions are. Your smartphone, Screen time, scrolling through social media, letting emails be in control of you.
What are your distractions? What is your quick fix to feel good right now?
Interesting article by @wearesocial on screen time usage
Dimension of Delusion - URGENT, NOT IMPORTANT
This is when you allow other people's priorities to take precedent over yours. You become the person who allows them to tick off their to-do list.
Answering an email as it comes in despite the fact that you are on an important and focused task at the time, letting notifications take you away from what you are focused on. (hint: turn off all notifications - then you are in charge of your time, not the person sending you a message or posting on social media)
Who are you letting take control of your time?
Dimension of Demand: URGENT AND IMPORTANT
Guess what if something has become urgent and important it really just means bad planning on your part! If we procrastinate and put things off they tend to become urgent and important as the deadline has come closer and we have not been productive and got things done! You know I am right!
What have you allowed to become urgent and important - what are you putting off?
Dimension of Fulfilment IMPORTANT NOT URGENT
This is the dimension we should all be working towards. In fact ideally, we should be spending a minimum of 40% of our time here.
Focusing on what is truly important in our lives. Focused on family, goals, dreams, planning, spirituality good habits like self♥care, exercise, healthy eating.
Focused on the things that mean something to us.
What would you like to be doing more of which makes you feel fulfilled?
Exercise:
Take the time to write down your urgent vs important tasks. Get clear on what your time wasters are. Restructure your time to focus on the important things.
Remember this: if you want to be productive and not just busy focus on what is important not what is urgent!
Need help deciding which dimension you are in and where you need to be? Get in touch. Invest some important time with me, so you can make more of your 24 hours.
Copyright© Tony Robbins Time of your life.
