Urgent Vs Important: The Healthy Option

If I were to ask you what you consider to be the most important aspect of your life, would you say your health? Yes, family, friends, career, money and spirituality are all worthy considerations, however, without your health these mean nothing. You can’t build relationships, help others, contribute to society or climb the corporate ladder if you can’t find the energy to get out of bed in the morning.

Why then do a lot of us allocate a disproportionate amount of time to other areas of our lives, and don’t schedule in the things we need to be the fit and healthy version of ourselves we crave. Why do those emails, phone calls, client reports or Facebook posts happen more regularly than a walk in the park or a trip to the gym?

In essence it is because all those other things press on us.

They are all seemingly important, but are you mistaking urgency for importance? You might feel you can get away with not going for that run today, however if the doctor said you had to or you’d be bed ridden or even worse by the end of the week, do you think you would find the time to do it?

Having experienced illness in my life, I know first-hand my health was something I took for granted, but when I didn’t have it, I’d have done anything to get it back. I’ve been fortunate to have overcome this illness, but still fall into the trap of not prioritising my health. I’ve had perspective, but lost it quickly when I got caught up in the day to day busyness of my life; reacting to the urgent instead of prioritising the important. The recent illness of a friend however has given me a huge reminder. We should respect those that don’t have a choice, by ensuring we do whatever it takes to be the best version of our selves whilst ever we are able. I plan to start today. If you haven’t already, I hope you do to.

This article was featured in the March issue of The Hunter Business Review Magazine