How to Focus on What’s Important, Not Urgent

It may feel like the 365 days you’re given each year aren’t enough time to do everything you want to do. In fact, you probably feel like there aren’t enough minutes in this day to accomplish what you think you need to do!

But here’s the good news: God doesn’t expect you to do everything. He has given you just enough time to do everything he wants you to do—everything he planned and purposed for you to do.

That’s why it’s important for you to set goals. Goals help you focus your life. Paul models this when he says, “I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something — not just the air” (1 Corinthians 9:26 NCV).

Paul knew his purpose, and all his plans and goals were focused on it. You need to have that same kind of focus.

Too many of us focus our lives on unimportant causes. Trivial Pursuit isn’t just a game; it’s a description of our culture. Most of what’s going on in our world today won’t matter in a week—much less for eternity.

Many people can’t tell the difference between “urgent” and “important.” What seems urgent is almost never what is important. ­­We put aside our family time, our time with God, and our time with friends for the urgent matters that rarely matter for long.

Goals are how you focus and create the kind of life that chases the important rather than what feels urgent. Goals focus your energy and help bring health and balance to your life.

For example, if you made it your goal to get healthy in some specific way this year, then that decision will focus your energy on that task. Anytime you’re tempted to eat junk food or skip a workout for extra sleep, your goal will help you stay on track. It will remind you of what’s important.

The Bible says, “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:16 NLT).

Make the most of your life by setting some goals. Don’t waste another year on the urgent rather than the important.