Driven by the urgent?

• Pressure makes us react more emotionally, losing sight of what is really important because we don't think as clearly.
• Hard to lead when we are driven by events rather than driving them.
• How can you break this vicious circle?
• Could you allocate a dedicated time each week or day to review your priorities to invest your energy and talent on what is strategically important?
• Are you investing your time or merely spending it?
• The latter is not managing. Managers are inherently investors.
• It is vital to regard this time out as an investment rather than merely an extra burden on your already busy schedule.
• Self discipline helps, but it's also vital to articulate what's in it for you.
• In reviewing your priorities to see where you can add most value and who might take on certain tasks, involve key stakeholders rather than guess what is most important.
• Convince yourself that doing nothing but react to urgencies is emotionally based and not conducive to longer term, sound business judgements.