Customer Reviews

Tyranny of the Urgent!

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This classic little booklet from Charles Hummel was one of the earliest resources (first published in 1967) to first introduce the distinction between the important and the urgent that later time and/or life management books such MacKenzie's "The Time Trap" and Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" incorporated. But Hummel introduced it in a Christian and Biblical context where God's Will and Word take precedence in determining what's important. This resource is a simple introduction to time management using the following four steps: decide what's important, discover how one's time is now being spent, budget the hours and follow through. Each step is given some exposition. If one already has Hummel's newer book "Freedom from Tyranny of the Urgent," then this booklet isn't necessary since it is essentially incorporated into the book. But for those Christians who have an initial adversity to the whole concept of time management and scheduling and don't see how it is integral to discipleship or produces greater freedom rather than bondage, this booklet may make you reconsider your belief. For those who want more insight into time and life management from a Christian perspective, read Ken Smith's "It's About Time." Hummel is one of many who recommends it.

All people, from kings to paupers, have 24 hours in a day. This book(let) helps the growing Christian make wise choices in regards to his/her use of time by offering motivational and practical insights. A must-read for anyone serious about living life to the fullest, not just existing through time. Every time I read this quick-read, I am challenged. Highly recommended!

I don't know how many times I have forsaken the really important things in life for the urgent (such as a phone call, work assignment, etc.) This book is a challenging reminder to never forsake the truly vital things in life (i.e. family, God, relationships) for other items that must be done that day or week. In other words, carpe diem! A must read for anyone seeking real fulfillment and meaning in life.

Hummel's work here could not be more needed among American Christians today. In a culture that places a great deal of emphasis on doing everything fast and as quickly as possible, the author teaches us how to distinguish the urgent from the important. Drawing heavily upon the life of Jesus, Hummel gives practical tips on how to get the best of our time, rather than our time getting the best of us. This booklet is one every American Christian today should read.

I've read this several times and given out copies to several friends. With so much busyness in the business world, and at home too, this was a refreshingly candid and practical look at the choices we make concerning the time we each have been given.

Anybody should be able to afford the time to read a 22 page mini-book to exhort a new way of approaching pressures of time and demands!

Charles Hummel's Tyranny of the Urgent is a 32 page little booklet that says something very important in a short space. That "something" is that in this life we must be careful not to allow the urgent things crowd out the important things. If we could all remember this one important truth, we would all live more successful and blessed lives. The booklet also emphasizes the importance of learning to wait.

I first came across this little booklet when I was in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship years ago and was in charge of selling books at our local meetings. At times, I've forgotten what I read so long ago, but as I re-read this booklet, I remembered this classic treatment of a phrase that has now become a part of our popular: The Tyranny of the Urgent. At the time, when I was in college, it didn't seem so important. But the older I get and the more complicated life gets, the more important this one truth has become to me.

Hummel's booklet is especially timely with advent of social media and technologies that demand that we do everything - NOW! One of best things about this little booklet is that it's so short that even amidst the urgency of life you will have time to read this booklet!

Hummel goes through 4 steps to combating the Tyranny of the Urgent:
1. decide what's important in life
2. discover how you're currently using your time
3. budget your time
4. follow through on your budget

The Tyranny of the Urgent is something you should read NOW! It's short, and it's cheap. Read this to get a biblical view and inspiration for the importance of the topic. Hummel has also written a full-length book on the subject, called Freedom from Tyranny of the Urgent (which I haven't read). After reading this booklet, I would then read First Things First by Stephen Covey for how more advice on how to make the important non-urgent things happen, in spite of the urgent (but often un-important) things that assault us daily.