Tag Archive for: hurry

Lost in the Hurry…

We live in a world filled with “hurry”.
For many, there never seems to be quite enough time.
In recent weeks, in many of my coaching conversations, one constant theme has arisen: “Time.”
Time rushes onward.
Never ceasing.
There is nothing so swift or more relentless than it.
In truth, the only time we ever hold is now.
Tomorrow is just a promise, because when it comes, it’s already today.
And once today is gone, we can never have it back.
Living in such a busy world with so many things to do, with many responsibilities all pulling for our attention, can be overwhelming.
Before we know it, a week has passed by, then a month – and perhaps it can feel like we have not done anything that really matters.
Time, which seemed to stand still, did not keep its promise…
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

Time Isn’t Just Measured — It’s Managed

In business, we often measure success by productivity and results.
But just like in life, if we’re not intentional with where our time goes, we can be busy without being effective.
A full calendar doesn’t always mean a fulfilled purpose.
Many fill their lives with devices designed to save time yet feel more rushed than ever.
The tools meant to free us have only made it easier to stay busy with what doesn’t matter.
The most successful leaders I’ve met don’t just manage their time – they own it.
“The key is not in spending time, but in investing it.” – Stephen R. Covey

Living Intentionally

They don’t let urgency set their agenda.
They know what matters, and they make space for it.
They choose what matters most and protect it ruthlessly.
It’s a regular daily discipline.
What will you choose to do with your time today that could shape tomorrow?

Unhurried

Whilst attending a coaching summit for a few days this week, one coach reminded us of an experiment conducted by social psychologists John Darley and Daniel Batson at Princeton University’s Theological Seminary on the Parable of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:29–37).

They wanted to know why people help in some situations but not others.

They studied one allegedly charitable group: 67 seminary students training to become priests.

The Challenge

The students were split into two groups.

Half of the students were told to prepare a sermon on job opportunities while the other half were told to prepare a sermon about the Good Samaritan.

They were then told to travel to a different building to give their sermon.

Unbeknownst to the students, the researchers had assigned them to one of three groups.

Some students were told that if they left immediately, they would be early, others were told they would be on-time, and the remainder were told they were already late.

Each student walked alone to the building to give their sermon.

On the way, they encountered a man slumped in a doorway, clearly in distress.

From afar, researchers watched: Would the seminary student stop to help the stranger in need?

The Result

Darley and Batson found that only 10% of seminary students in the hurried condition and their eagerness not to be late, stopped to help the man.

In comparison, 63% of the participants in the unhurried condition stopped.

In other words, being in a hurry can lead even trainee priests with the Good Samaritan on their mind to ignore a person in distress.

The study reinforced an essential gospel truth: we cannot serve others effectively if we are constantly rushing through life in a hurry.

Our pace of life can play a large role in whether or not we authentically demonstrate what we declare to be true.

The Saviour Himself often took time to pause, to notice, and to minister to individuals in need.

He was never in too much of a hurry to reach out to the sick, the needy, or the weary.

Are you too busy, too rushed, too hurried and sometimes unkind to others?

I know, if you slow down, even for a minute, situations become clearer.

Don’t let being in a hurry stop you from doing something good today…

How are you eliminating hurry from your life? Please tell!

Darley, J. M., & Batson, C. D. (1973). “From Jerusalem to Jericho”: A study of situational and dispositional variables in helping behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 27(1), 100.