“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, and it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will get killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you are the lion or a gazelle- when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
- These lines from Christopher McDougall”s Born to Run define the sense of urgency brilliantly.
Ever wondered why some lawyers hustle the whole day and never tire. The answer is they have a sense of urgency. They have a passion for excellence in their profession. They never give up. And they choose their battles.
Life needs to be on its very edges. If one were to follow this philosophy, then every minute becomes precious. That is the gift of a sense of urgency. Life becomes supercharged in an instant, and change becomes fun.
Lawyers with this quality are on their toes all the time. They seldom complain. They challenge themselves to the point of breaking. For them, the journey is far more important than the destination. Success would then become a continuous journey.
Sadly, a great many lawyers are not used to having a sense of urgency. A few decades back, people had to fight or wait to get what they aspire to be. Today, it is far more comfortable. That comfort turns into the quicksand that sucks us in slowly and thereby killing the spirit. Comfort zone has killed far more dreams than any other reason on the planet.
A sense of urgency is not an option; It is a necessity. It is something we need to cultivate and keep up with every day. If one does not become faster, then he loses his sense of purpose and direction. Being faster, better, excellent, and ultimately victorious is the entire purpose of a lawyer’s existence.
In essence, a sense of urgency is living each day with a sense of purpose and taking action immediately.
Traits of a Personality with a Sense of Urgency
- Values timeThey live each day as if it were their last. They set a date for their goals and take action immediately. And they never postpone things of priority. They know when to say no.
- Well-defined purpose of lifeThey are clear on what they choose to achieve. A life without a purpose is a life not lived. They review their goals every day.
- Willing to sacrifice
A person with a sense of urgency prioritizes his tasks. He has a strong will to let go of distractions. For him, the goal becomes the center of energy.
One has to connect to a sense of urgency, to the burning desire within, to leave the comfort zone. This state is going to be a daily battle. Awakening to this reality is an important aspect that defines us in who we become.