Extract
Urgency in the business world can be a dangerous trap that affects both companies and their collaborators. To overcome it, balanced approaches must be adopted focused on building healthier and more sustainable environments.
Contents
Finding Healthy Balance and Sustainability in High Demand Environments
Problems of Being the Urgent Company: Anxiety and Organizational Burnout
Challenges in Time Management: Obstacles to Achieving Productivity and Avoiding Urgency
The Role of Leaders: Developing a Positive Work Environment in the Emergency Department
The Role of Collaborators: Overcoming Urgency to Achieve Success
Conclusion: Establish Healthy Boundaries and Properly Prioritize Tasks
Finding Healthy Balance and Sustainability in High Demand Environments
In a business world increasingly driven by immediacy in the delivery of results, we find ourselves with the "urgent company" that lives from urgency to urgency, without a clear direction, in a constant state of stress, frustration and pressure due to the frenetic pace of their projects that can become unrealistic and healthy with the resources assigned to them.
In these organizations, a culture of “everything is urgent”, where employees are expected to be immune to stress and anxiety, as if they were machines without feelings or emotions. However, this mentality can have serious consequences for both the development and growth of a company, as for the integration of people and work teams that make it up.
The causes of this phenomenon are diverse and complex, with interrelated internal and external factors...
Internally, a tense work environment affected by dynamics and power games, a lack of clear leadership and slow or bureaucratic processes contribute to the feeling of being consumed by urgency.
Externally, lack of effective and transparent communication, poor goal alignment, market changes, and difficult customers further complicate the situation.
In the short term, the culture of urgency may seem efficient, but in the long term it can have a devastating impact on health and well-being, as well as in the creativity, innovation and productivity of the teams. It is essential to understand that business success is not limited to the speed in delivering results, but also to the team well-being that allows us to adapt and thrive in demanding and changing environments.
Problems of Being the Urgent Company: Anxiety and Organizational Burnout
One of the main problems of the urgent company is its long-term vision loss. By constantly focusing on solving immediate problems (putting out fires) and achieving short-term objectives, the organization runs the risk of becoming trapped in an endless cycle of urgencies and frustrations, without the ability to anticipate risks and adapt to market changes. Lack of innovation and the inability to look beyond the day-to-day can lead to obsolescence and business decline.
The constant pressure Due to meeting tight deadlines and the expectation that employees “live to work, not work to live”, sooner or later they will be forced to repress their emotions and feelings, which negatively affects their mental health, their job satisfaction. and their performance due to anxiety and exhaustion. In the long term, this can result in a loss of talent (silent or announced) invaluable to the company.
Also, living in a constant state of urgency causes the feeling that nothing is urgent and everything has the same level of importance for the organization (“urge”), thus creating a poor work culture that must be promoted based on fear and coercion, which ends up destroying the company.
To counteract the negative effects of urgent business, it is essential to find a balance between the rapid delivery of results and the well-being of collaborators. This involves taking a long-term view, effective time management, and promoting a High Performance work environment that values people as complete human beings, with emotions, needs and aspirations.
Challenges in Time Management: Obstacles to Achieving Productivity and Avoiding Urgency
Time is a valuable resource that must be used consciously and effectively to achieve meaningful results. Its efficient management is essential for productivity, since all people have the same amount of time available each day; However, not all companies manage it correctly due to the presence of any of these evils:
Procrastination
Postponing tasks until the last minute; It is closely related to the expectation that the task is a problem of the future. Some recommendations are:
Start small and work your way up to big achievements.
Take action and decision without hesitation to avoid the analysis that causes paralysis.
Make internal deliveries before it is presented to the customer.
Always do what you are avoiding doing.
Lack of Planning
Not having a clear plan for the day or week; It is closely related to the lack of sensitivity to distinguish between important and urgent tasks. Some recommendations are:
Define and be clear about the objectives you want to achieve.
Prioritize activities according to their relevance to the objective.
Plan at least a week in advance.
Measure your own and the team's capabilities.
Multitasking
Trying to do too many things at once; It is closely related to the belief that being busy means being productive. Some recommendations are:
Avoid distractions such as notifications or unnecessary social interactions.
Finish one task before starting another.
Say no when necessary.
Perfectionism
Spending too much time trying to perfect each task; It is closely related to the belief that perfection is synonymous with value for a customer. Some recommendations are:
Establish clear limits on the time that can be dedicated to a task.
Define the minimum of what the client expects and give him a little more.
Avoid comparing yourself to other people's standards or achievements.
At the same time,the leaders and collaborators are responsible for their own time and must do what is necessary to manage it appropriately.
The Role of Leaders: Developing a Positive Work Environment in the Emergency Department
For leaders and entrepreneurs caught in the constant urgency, it is crucial to take steps to get out of this cycle and build a healthy and sustainable business culture. Some recommendations are:
Establish a long-term vision with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and tangible objectives and goals for oneself and the team.
Plan and prioritize tasks appropriately with complete information to evaluate the possible repercussions of its (non)compliance.
Open spaces for reflection and well-being with recreational activities and mindfulness sessions, emotional support and coaching.
Encourage innovation and encourage teams to propose new ideas and solutions, recognizing and rewarding creativity.
Encourage communication open and transparent when listening to collaborators' concerns and suggestions, and taking steps to increase team trust.
By adopting these recommendations, leaders and entrepreneurs can free themselves from the urgency trap constant and build a healthier, more productive and sustainable company in the long term.
Furthermore, it is important to recognize thatEmployee loyalty arises when they feel valued, respected and supported in their professional and personal development. This means offering opportunities for growth and development, fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment, and recognizing and rewarding work well done.
The Role of Collaborators: Overcoming Urgency to Achieve Success
For employees who find themselves immersed in a work environment marked by constant urgency, it is essential to take care of your well-being and find strategies to manage stress, relax, recharge and maintain a healthy balance between work and career. Some recommendations are:
Disconnect from work outside of working hours and set aside time for activities such as exercise, meditation, or deep breathing.
Make use of the Eisenhower Matrix and prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work.
Make use of the Pomodoro Technique and divide the day into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks and regular breaks to avoid burnout.
Communicate needs and concerns to superiors and colleagues in a clear, respectful and timely manner when possible.
Apply techniques to deal with stress and anxiety such as positive visualization, therapeutic writing, and developing a support network outside of work.
By implementing these recommendations, the person can face the urgency of everyday life more effectively and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Remember that your well-being is essential and that taking care of yourself will allow you to be more productive and effective at work in the long term, which opens the door to new personal and professional opportunities.
Conclusion: Establish Healthy Boundaries and Properly Prioritize Tasks
Recognizing the dangers of urgency and taking proactive measures to counter them is essential for a brighter and more promising future. Instead of falling into this trap, companies must seek a balance between the rapid delivery of results and the well-being of their collaborators, adopting a long term vision and promoting a culture that values people as human beings. Only in this way will they be able to build a sustainable and successful future for all.
For both leaders and employees, it is important to set clear boundaries and prioritize tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the constant urgency. Proper planning, delegation of responsibilities, and open communication are key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, it is essential to take care of physical, mental, and emotional well-being through self-care and developing effective coping skills.
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About Pablo Tellaeche (Author):
Owner and main consultant of TACs Consultores, Speaker and University Professor; seeks to bring a true and positive Lean Culture and Digital Transformation to every company with which he has the pleasure of collaborating.
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