The Need for a Sense of Urgency

I'll never forget a conversation I had with my team leader in a previous business. When I asked him what separated him from others who had similar ideas but never succeeded, his answer surprised me. "Michael," he said, "it wasn't that I was smarter or had better resources. It was that I understood something most people don't—someday is not a day of the week."

That phrase has stayed with me for years because it captures a truth I've observed in every successful person I've ever met: they all possess an acute awareness that time is their most precious and non-renewable resource.

Over the decades, I've had the privilege of studying high achievers across multiple businesses, and I've discovered something fascinating. The difference between those who achieve their goals and those who don't rarely comes down to ability, education, or even opportunity. It comes down to urgency—the internal drive to act now rather than wait for a more convenient time.

Understanding True Urgency

Let me clarify what I mean by urgency, because I think many people misunderstand it. Urgency isn't about being frantic, stressed, or constantly in a hurry. It's not about rushing through life without thought or purpose. True urgency is actually the opposite—it's about being so clear on what matters that you refuse to let anything steal your time from pursuing it.

I've learned that urgency is the bridge between intention and action. We all have good intentions. We all have dreams, goals, and aspirations. But intentions without urgency remain wishes. Urgency is what transforms "I should" into "I will"…  and "someday" into "today."

The people who achieve the most aren't necessarily those who work the hardest—they're those who work with the greatest sense of purpose and timing. They understand that every day they delay is a day they can't get back, and more importantly, it's a day that someone else might be gaining ground.

Why Urgency Matters Now More Than Ever

In today's world, we're surrounded by more distractions than any generation in history. Social media, endless entertainment options, and the constant buzz of notifications all compete for our attention. It's easier than ever to stay busy while accomplishing nothing of significance.

I've watched talented individuals spend years preparing to start instead of starting to prepare. They're always getting ready to get ready, but they never actually begin. Meanwhile, time keeps moving, opportunities keep passing, and their dreams keep waiting.

Here's what I've observed: procrastination isn't usually about laziness—it's about fear. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of not being ready. But here's the truth I've learned after mentoring hundreds of people: you'll never feel completely ready. The perfect moment doesn't exist. The conditions will never be ideal. Urgency teaches us to act despite imperfect circumstances.

The Urgency Advantage

People who operate with a sense of urgency gain several distinct advantages. First, they create momentum. Newton's law applies to life just as much as physics—objects in motion tend to stay in motion. When you act with urgency, you generate energy that compounds over time.

Second, urgency creates clarity. When you treat your time as precious, you become naturally selective about how you spend it. Non-essential activities fall away, and your priorities become crystal clear. You stop saying yes to everything and start saying yes to the right things.

Third, urgency builds confidence. Every time you choose action over inaction, you're proving to yourself that you're someone who follows through. This creates a positive cycle where action leads to confidence, which leads to more action.

Developing Your Sense of Urgency

The good news is that urgency can be cultivated. It's not something you either have or don't have—it's something you can develop through intentional practice.

Start by getting clear on what you really want. Vague goals create vague urgency. But when you have crystal clarity on your destination, every day you're not moving toward it feels like a day wasted.

Next, understand the cost of delay. What will happen if you wait another year to start that business, improve that relationship, or pursue that dream? Often, when we calculate the true cost of procrastination, urgency follows naturally.

Finally, start small but start now. You don't have to revolutionize your entire life tomorrow, but you can take one meaningful step today. Urgency isn't about giant leaps—it's about consistent forward motion.

Your Time Is Now

I've learned that life has a way of passing more quickly than we expect. The years we think we have to pursue our dreams have a way of disappearing into routine, distraction, and delay. But here's what I want you to understand: today is not a dress rehearsal. This is your life, and it's happening now.

The person you want to become, the impact you want to make, the legacy you want to leave—these things won't happen automatically. They require intention, action, and yes, urgency.

I'm not asking you to rush through life. I'm asking you to be intentional with it. To recognize that every day is a gift and an opportunity. To understand that the dreams you're carrying deserve more than your good intentions—they deserve your urgent action.

Your time is now! Not when you feel ready, not when the conditions are perfect, not when you have all the answers. Now! Because the person you're meant to become is waiting for you to stop preparing and start becoming.

What are you waiting for?

To your growth and freedom,

Dr. Michael Schulz.