U is for Urgent
If you want to reach for greater heights in work and life you need to stretch yourself (see my blog 
posting “R is for Risk”.) But, in the end, nothing happens without a little urgency.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m a big advocate of planning and proper execution. The MBA in me is hard to wash off and I can smell a half-baked idea or sloppy plan a mile off.
At the same time, nothing beats good-old-fashioned doing.
When Chouinard peddled some rubgy shirts from Scotland that he fancied he didn’t have a vision of an international brand called Patagonia – he just saw a good product and practiced urgency.
When Disney first broke dirt in ‘54 he didn’t have enough backers, money, or land. But he did have a vision strong enough to silence the naysayers and an even stronger sense of urgency.
And when Bill Bowerman poured liquid rubber into his wife’s waffle iron he didn’t know he was about to transform the traditional running shoe industry – he saw a need and was practicing urgency.
Maybe you know there is something you need to do—but haven’t. Like start your own company, ask for that raise, or write your book. If I’ve learnt anything from my hesitations it is that “someday” never comes and “as soon as…” doesn’t have a decent ending.
Votaire summed it up by warning “Don’t let the perfect become the enemy of the good.” Sometimes we have everything we need to step up and move forward – we just need to stir a little urgency into the pot and get started.
Let me know what you think – add a comment below (I’ll be sure to write back.)
About Hugh Culver
Hugh Culver co-created the world’s most expensive tours (to the South Pole), started five companies, and consults to Telus, Shoppers Drug Mart, Red Cross, and Bell. His keynotes, courses, and events teach and inspire leaders to do what matters, make a difference, and to fully show up. He is the author of Give Me a Break – the art of making time work for you.
See more from Hugh Culver
Feb 22, 2012 @ 19:17:26
That is awesome Hugh, it truly speaks loud and clear to me right now in this exact moment. Urgency does not have to equate to chaos, but without it, the urgency nothing happens. Ah, beautiful.