Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles
The Principle of Priority states (a) you must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and (b) you must do what’s important first.
“Urgent” is a human construct used to push someone’s agenda or bias on you or a result of your procrastination.
Urgent is created by your boss, your bosses boss, or your over demanding customer whose business may not be worth the effort required.
Urgent is not necessarily important.
Urgent is the enemy of important.
When choosing what you’ll spend your time on next ask yourself – “What’s it for?“
Unless you can answer that question with clarity and believe wholeheartedly in it’s importance then move on to the next item on your list. It may become clear and important at a later date but for now move onto the next item on your list.
If your boss is pushing their urgent over your important and you cannot convince them otherwise then you may need to give in. They are the boss.
If this is always the case – find a new boss!
Muse credit to Seth Godin and Steven Pressfield.