One of the world’s most famous inventors said, “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing.”
Leonardo da Vinci, certainly knew a thing or two about getting things done.
The urgency of doing suggests doing the urgent, which is nothing but a very deep bear trap. Stuff comes up, email tumbles in, do you have a minute? could you …? I’ll just do this before …
All those little urgent nothings get in the way of actually doing something that matters.
Steven Covey says the heart of personal effectiveness is to spend time on the non-urgent important stuff. Putting time into the slow stuff today – like relationships, purpose, maintenance, planning and preparation – means less (quick) time fire fighting stuff tomorrow.
Here’s the full da Vinci quote,
I have been impressed with the urgency of doing.
Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Being willing is not enough; we must do.
Don’t be so impressed with the urgency of doing that you do whatever comes along. Be willing to prioritise the important.
Photo credit – mallorcaquality who has a bunch of photos showing replicas of da Vinci inventions.