What defines high performance, and what separates high performers from the rest? If you google a list of top traits of high performers, you might see something like:
- Goal-oriented
- Clear Communicator
- Great work ethic
- Adaptable
All great and necessary qualities. But what is the one trait that separates the highest performers from the rest?
What Do All High Performers Have in Common?
Of all the qualities you might look for, the top performers all display a passionate sense of urgency.
Whether in business, politics, or sports, this trait is consistent among the best of the best.
Urgency vs Busyness
Many people live day-to-day in a constant state of busyness. Being constantly occupied with the various tasks that need attention can give the illusion of productivity without making progress toward their goals.
Urgency is the focused drive to accomplish goals and tasks as quickly and effectively as possible. This means prioritizing based on impact with clear outcomes in mind.
Moving from busyness to urgency involves conscious choices on how to spend time and energy that best serve your goals.
How Urgency Drives Decision-Making
Urgency plays a key role in high-performance decision-making.
A sense of urgency helps us identify and prioritize tasks critical to success. It helps us to see the difference between what is essential and what isn't. This way, we can concentrate on high-impact activities.
When urgency is a driving force, decision-making will be streamlined. There is less room for procrastination and overthinking. This doesn't mean rushing into decisions without thinking but avoiding delays.
Urgency sharpens our focus. Decisions can be made quickly and intelligently because there is a clarity of purpose.
The ability to adapt quickly to circumstances is huge. Urgency creates a mindset that is agile and quick to respond to challenges.
Case Studies
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs' story is almost mythological. He started Apple in his parent's garage in 1976, was removed from the company in 1985, and made an unbelievable comeback in 1997 to save it from the brink of bankruptcy.
By the time he died in October 2011, he had made Apple the world's most valuable company. He innovated in so many spheres. Apple revolutionized personal computing, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.
Jobs' sense of urgency was legendary and drove Apple's ability to innovate consistently from the front. He motivated people to get things done on what was considered an impossible timeline.
"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."
—Apple's "Think Different" commercial, 1997
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon, the biggest online retailer in the world. He is also the owner of The Washington Post and the visionary behind Blue Origin, a pioneering space exploration company.
Bezos's sense of urgency has become institutionalized at Amazon as the Day 1 mentality. This is the idea that a company should operate every day like it's Day 1. They should resist bloat, waste, and bureaucracy and remain as agile and urgent as Day 1.
This is one of the key reasons Amazon has dominated online retail.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur who co-founded the electronic payment firm PayPal. He has also formed SpaceX, which makes spacecraft. Musk is chief executive officer of the electric car manufacturer Tesla and owns the social media company Twitter (later X).
There is story after story of Musk's ability to cut a long timeline in half. Once, he was told it would take nine months to move some servers. He thought that was ridiculous and began moving them himself over Christmas break. It eventually took about a month.
"A maniacal sense of urgency is our operating principle. The only rules are the ones dictated by the laws of physics. Everything else is a recommendation."
- Elon Musk 1
Cultivating a Sense of Urgency
How can I develop a mindset of urgent action?
First is the understanding that time is a finite resource. Realizing that every moment is precious can help create a natural sense of urgency.
Next, try shifting from a reactive to a proactive mindset. See what needs to be done and take the initiative rather than waiting until you have no choice.
Always keep the end goal in mind. This helps to maintain motivation and the desire to move quickly toward those goals.
Finally, realize that your actions (or inactions) have consequences. Taking responsibility will create a sense of urgency.
Practical Strategies
- Set Clear Deadlines: Establish firm deadlines for your tasks, not just those imposed by others but self-imposed deadlines too.
- Break Down Large Tasks: Large projects can be overwhelming. Breaking them into smaller, manageable tasks can make starting and maintaining momentum easier.
- Create a Sense of Scarcity: Remind yourself what is at stake. Knowing that specific opportunities are time-sensitive can spur action.
- Use Visual Reminders: Keep your goals and deadlines visually displayed in your workspace to constantly remind you of what needs to be accomplished.
Staying Balanced
We know that driving action with a sense of urgency is important. It's just as important to balance our urgency and thoughtful decision-making.
While urgency emphasizes quick action, thoughtful decision-making ensures that these actions are grounded and informed. It involves considering the depth and implications of decisions rather than just their immediacy.
Thoughtful decision-making allows for a long-term perspective, ensuring that urgent actions are in line with broader goals and strategies.
Deliberation in decision-making helps maintain the quality of work, as it involves careful consideration of the options and possible outcomes.
Tips for Quick Yet Effective Analysis and Decision-Making
- Use decision-making frameworks to assess situations quickly. Tools like SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis or the Pareto Principle can be helpful.
- Over time, hone your intuition to make quicker decisions. This comes from experience and a deep understanding of your field or business.
- Use the 'two-minute rule' for small decisions – if something takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This helps in clearing minor decisions quickly.
- In difficult situations, consultation with stakeholders can provide different perspectives for better decision-making.
- Set aside a specific time for decision-making to prevent endless overthinking.
By balancing urgency with reflection, you can ensure that your actions are efficient and well-considered, leading to more sustainable outcomes.
Urgency is the Mindset of Taking Action
Developing urgency as a key trait in your personal and professional life can lead to transformative outcomes. It is an invitation to eliminate procrastination and align action with ambitions.
Urgency is a commitment to living a life where challenges are met head-on and goals are set and achieved. Let urgency be your guide to a life of action over inaction, progress over stagnation, and achievement over mere intention. A life where you can make every day better!