                    |
 This Pathway is one week late. I had planned to write last week and, as much as
I tried, could not get into the flow of writing.
Instead, the task began to feel like a "have to" instead of a "want to." And
"have to's" can become energy draining instead of life giving, especially when
we've told ourselves the tasks are more important than they actually are.
Of course, there will always be tasks that are necessary to complete; it's part
of living responsibly. What gets confused, however, is what is actually
"necessary." In an over-scheduled, over-committed culture we sometimes forget
the distinctions between necessity and desire, between being occupied and being
engaged.
When I find myself off-balance, I like to refer to Steven Covey's
decision-making quadrant which reminds me to determine the relevance of tasks
based upon a combination of two factors: urgency and importance.
Urgent tasks are those which are "in-your-face" and immediate, often with
pressing and superficial deadlines. Unfortunately, many of us are so addicted to
the adrenaline rush of accomplishing the urgent tasks that we seldom get to the
important ones. Important tasks are those that honor our values and, through
longer-term reward, contribute to accomplishing our life vision. Important tasks
usually require us to make an intentional choice rather than just happening to
us.
Tasks which are not important but are urgent are often called "deceptive." These
activities come with much noise and fanfare from other's expectations but do not
typically create much personal value in the larger scheme. Similarly, activities
which are both not important and not urgent usually show up as excessive time
wasters, such as reading through junk mail or watching trivial television
programs.
Progress is made when we focus on tasks which are both urgent and important.
These are necessary deadlines and issue, sometime unexpected, but always
contributing to our larger goals and values.
Lastly, there are non-urgent activities that are also important. This is the
context in which we can sense a palpable energy. These are not accompanied by a
stressful sense of urgency or pressure, but a rise in spirit and meaning.
This week, I felt that energy. While writing, I was saying "Yes" to my own
life's purpose. The deadline came from an inner sense of what was "right" rather
than from external expectations. This week the task of writing felt essential, a
part of the essence of something larger, rather than a necessary "have-to." I
feel better having been here.
Coaching Inquiries: To get into the flow of creativity, pay attention to your
energy. Are you working on a deceptive task, one that is seemingly urgent but
not important? Are you in the bottomless pit of a time-wasting activity that is
neither urgent or important? Are you drawn to the task by what you want or by
what seems necessary? Or, is the task a contributor to your mission and vision?
What do you want?
 To reply to this Pathway, use our
Feedback Form. To learn more about our
Creativity Coaching Programs and to
arrange for a complementary Creativity coaching session, use our
Contact Form or
Email Erika.
May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.
Erika Jackson
(Erika@LifeTrekCoaching.com)
LifeTrek Coaching International
Columbus, OH
U.S.A.
Telephone: 614-565-9953
Fax: 208-977-7793
Subscribe/Unsubscribe: (Click)
Correspondence: (Click)
Web: (Click)
Mobile:
(Click)
» Top
» Go to Provision Archive
» Go to Wellness Pathway Archive
» Go to Creativity Pathway Archive
» Go to Career Pathway Archive
» Go to Leadership Pathway Archive
» Go to Resilience Pathway Archive
» Go to OD Pathway Archive
» Go to Parenting Pathway Archive
» Go to Webcast Intro
» Go to Webcam (Watch the Birds!)
» Reply to this Article
» Go to Coaching Chat Room |
