Getting it done…now.

In the sales process, they talk about the need to develop a ‘compelling sense of urgency’ if you want the buyer to move forward. Getting things done involves a sense of urgency. Making change involves a sense of urgency. Leading change should involve a sense of urgency.

It does not mean panic.

Getting things done involves not only the tasking, but largely a view of the consequence involved in not taking the action. If you can’t see the consequence or someone has not framed it for you, then chances are there is no motivation to take the action.

Dr. Dean Ornish conducted a study years ago that showed individuals who had a heart attack were given information and instructions on how to live a healthier lifestyle to prevent future heart attacks. It showed that almost all the patients understood and followed the recommendations but after a few months only 10% of those were still doing so. 

To win at change, you have to do something every single day to get the change you envision. Patients needed to live a healthier lifestyle each and every single day, but some gave up. Some lost the sense of urgency and forgot about the consequences. Or gave up. Because making change every single day was too hard. They weren’t willing to move their mindset and create a new habit.

But this is exactly how we get to our goals. We do a little bit every single day. Because we have created a sense of urgency for ourselves and as adults we understand the consequence.

Do you have a sense of urgency around things that are important to you?