"Tyranny of the Urgent" is not a new concept. It's been around a long time in business -- and every other endeavor. Tyranny of the urgent is the concept that urgent, time-sensitive tasks suck up our time that should be spent on more important big-picture activities.

It has only gotten worse since our ability to multi-task and produce has increased exponentially.

And I'm guilty. I fight it all the time. I have fought it since the opening day of this company. I am fighting it right this second, in fact. The "urgent" tasks of the week are why I'm writing a blog post at 5:08pm on a Saturday afternoon!

For many business owners, marketing suffers at the hand of the urgent. An employee no-shows, creating an urgent need for all hands on deck. Invoicing is behind schedule, meaning that will take full attention until it's back on track. You get the picture. Stepping away from the fray to build a marketing plan is important, but too often derailed by the urgent.

But stepping away from the fray is exactly what is required sometimes. When I need to step away from the fray to write -- like the important white papers I'm going to finish next week -- I head to Ball State University's Bracken Library, top floor, private room with plate glass windows facing north. That's my spot. Uninterrupted and totally dialed in.

When it comes to marketing your business, filling your pipeline with customers, don't let the daily urgencies steal your ability to win. Step away from the fray -- or might I suggest delegating to a marketing firm that specializes in people just like yourself!

Labels: bad habits, management, marketing, planning, strategy