Freedom from Tyranny of the Urgent [Paperback]

Charles E. Hummel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 1997

Winner of the 2004 ECPA Platinum Book Award! Is the clock a slavemaster or a tool that serves you? Does the quantity of your responsibilities squeeze out the quality of your life? Are urgent things so pressing that you don't have "inner time" to sort out what's really important? How can you discern what God wants you to do? Charles Hummel's classic booklet Tyranny of the Urgent has sold over one million copies. Now for the first time he expands on the life-changing perspective that has transformed the lives of thousands struggling to keep from being swept away by the rush of life. Gathered in this book are proven principles taken straight from biblical teaching, from today's time-management experts and from Hummel's own life experience. You'll discover how to

• make the calendar your friend
• manage your life instead of your time
• get motivated
• stay open to God's guidance in small choices
• avoid being dragged down by past choices
• develop "inner time" for reflection and planning

and much more! If you have too much to do and not enough time to do it, this book is for you.

Product Details

• Paperback: 135 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (August 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830812873
• ISBN-13: 978-0830812875
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Book that will Enrich the Life of the Believer, October 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Freedom from Tyranny of the Urgent (Paperback)

Hummel's "Freedom from Tyranny..." is a wonderful amplification of his booklet "Tyranny of the Urgent." Like its predecessor, the book encourages you to examine your life and realign your priorities by seeking to live a holy life. This book is a beautiful balance of illustrative vignettes, Scripture, and Hummel's thoughts.

The book is very encouraging, uplifting, and peace-inducing.

I've been leading a small group study in which we are slowly digesting the book and attempting, with God's help, to apply it. The group members unanimously love the book. They all feel uplifted and have remarked on Hummel's giftedness in encouraging us rather than making us feel guilty that we haven't mastered the topics yet.

This book is a gift to yourself. I encourage you to read it with an open heart, then give a copy to loved ones.

I've returned to order an additional five. That brings my total to 20 so far.

God bless you.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reclaim Your Time, December 7, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Freedom from Tyranny of the Urgent (Paperback)

This book is great for someone who is stressed out because they are always so busy dealing with the urgent that they find themself forgetting the important. While many books on time management are great for motivation - this one brings time management tips to you in a practical manner - with questions for reflection and application at the end of each chapter.

There were two sections of this book that I found particularly helpful. One dealt with the difference between being efficient - and being effective. Before reading this, I had never realized that a person could show 100% efficiency in something but never have it be effective in helping anyone! The second section that helped me was a list of 7 tips and ways to say no. One of the most helpful tips was to learn to "go with your gifts" when making the choice between two good things.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to reclaim their time.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb Title on Evaluating What Is Truly Important, January 17, 2009

By 

Michael Taylor "Michael Taylor" (Indian Trail NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Freedom from Tyranny of the Urgent (Paperback)

"Freedom From Tyranny of the Urgent" was a great and enjoyable read and challenged me to seriously evaluate my priorities and schedule. With a family, full-time job, serving as an adjunct faculty at a local community college, serving at a local church, and with things to do around the house, I HAVE to think hard about what is important and what is urgent.

Among the important points covered include:

1. Our problem is letting the urgent things take priority over the important things.
2. We are free only when we know and exercise the purpose for which we were created.
3. Who we are is more important to God than what we do.
4. Efficient vs. Effective prioritizing.
5. How to plan to say no to urgent plans and pleas.
6. Our increased pace of life has resulted in a decreased sense of direction and goals.
7. Learn to live in the present instead of the past or future (do not let the past drag you down, we are not guaranteed tomorrow).
8. God will guide our decisions and actions as we seek Him.
9. We will be released from much of life's tyranny when we learn to be quiet before the Lord (to this I say a hearty "AMEN" as I still struggle in this area).

I will definitely refer to the title yearly and highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to have more of a sense of control over one's life from an admittingly Christian perspective.

Read, enjoy, and be challenged to think about your priorities!