Are you overwhelmed by urgent things, things that should have been done yesterday? Me too. And that bothers me because I know the urgent has a way of preempting the important in life.

The urgent has a way of preempting the important in life.

My point in sharing this list with you is not to suggest neglecting the urgent (we can't and we shouldn't), but to urge balancing it with the important.

Urgent: making a living
Important: making a life

 Are you overwhelmed by urgent things, things that should have been done yesterday? Me too. And that bothers me because I know the urgent has a way of preempting the important in life.

Notice, for instance, how the following list pairs urgent things with important things they often push aside. My point in sharing it with you is not to suggest neglecting the urgent (we can't and we shouldn't), but to urge balancing it with the important. As you read these pairings, ask yourself how you can supplement the former with the latter.

Urgent: planning for today
Important: planning for tomorrow

Urgent: making a grocery list
Important: making a reading list

Urgent: improving your body
Important: improving your character

Urgent: working an extra hour
Important: sleeping an extra hour

Urgent: preparing kids for school
Important: preparing kids for life

Urgent: getting to places on time
Important: getting to the right places

Urgent: answering a ringing telephone
Important: answering a friend's letter

Urgent: reading the news
Important: reading history

Urgent: finishing things
Important: enjoying them

Urgent: changing things
Important: accepting them

Urgent: treating a child's wounded body
Important: treating a child's wounded spirit

Urgent: petitioning God for needs
Important: thanking God for blessings

Urgent: making money
Important: making friends

Urgent: disciplining a child
Important: hugging a child

Urgent: calling your parents for help
Important: calling your parents to visit

Urgent: keeping appointments with your boss or customer
Important: keeping appointments with your family

Urgent: reminding your spouse of a chore
Important: reminding your spouse of your love

Urgent: giving your children some of your money
Important: giving your children some of your time

Urgent: meeting your own needs
Important: meeting the needs of others

Urgent: buying
Important: saving

Urgent: working
Important: playing

Urgent: hurrying
Important: relaxing

Urgent: condemning
Important: forgiving

Urgent: grieving
Important: laughing

Urgent: laughing
Important: grieving

Urgent: speaking
Important: listening

Urgent: making a living
Important: making a life