La Tirania de Lo Urgente

by Charles E. Hummel

Now thoroughly revised and expanded, this classic booklet by Charles E. Hummel offers ideas and illustrations for effective time management.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Self Help, Business, Christian Living, Productivity, Personal Development

32 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Robert Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one was in more demand than Jesus. Someone who can heal will be constantly followed, mobbed, and bombarded with requests. (You think you’ve got problems!).

Yet at the end of Jesus’ earthly life, he makes an astonishing statement. Just before he goes to the cross, Jesus prays to the Father, “I have accomplished the work you sent me to do” (John 17:4). How could he say that while there were still so many he hadn’t healed, so many still possessed by demons, so many who hadn’t yet come into relationship with him. From a human perspective, there was more left undone than accomplished. And yet Jesus was finished.

Tyranny of the Urgent, the classic booklet by Charles Hummel, begins with the premise that we have overloaded ourselves with too much to do. Our lives resemble over-packed suitcases bursting at the seams.

If you contrast that way of living with how Jesus lived, the difference is stark. The secret was found in Mark 1:35: Jesus got up early in the morning and prayed and met with the Father. The sense of priorities and calling and direction he received for that day, flowing out of his time with the Father, allowed him to move with calmness and purpose as he proceeded into whatever interruptions would come his way. Some of those interruptions were divine appointments, like the bleeding woman who touched him on his robe when he was on his way somewhere else. He was able to discern that this was something he needed to attend to. Other times the distractions needed to be ignored.

It’s a sorting process. When you set out with a clear idea of your priorities– not everything that you could do, but what God has actually called you to do– you can then evaluate things that come up in light of those priorities. That grid will help you tell the difference between divine appointments and distractions.

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful little booklet on not letting what’s seems urgent distract from what’s important. Good examples in the life of Jesus are given.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but powerful, highly recommend

[Jen Steed Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the wisdom here.

[Ryan Palczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

"P. T. Forsyth once said, 'The worst sin is prayerlessness.' Does this statement surprise us? We
usually think of murder and adultery as among the worst offenses against God and humanity. But the
root of all sin is self-sufficiency - independence from the rule of God."

[Sarah Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 38 pages, Hummel points out the difference between what's important vs. what's urgent and calls us to evaluate our priorities through pointed time budgeting aimed at incorporating humble prayer. For such a tiny book, it's filled with a lot of truth.

[Daniel Allgäuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for rethinking time management and prioritization of what is truly most important!

[Jennifer R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and to the point. Perfect.

[Ed Winslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that is very useful.

[Keith Harmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing too revolutionary, but it’s got some really helpful takeaways especially early on. Like the difference between “urgent” and “important” (and when they sometimes mix). And guidelines for how to best use and schedule your time.

[Shaun Marksbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a re-read of a good little booklet I received with my first college class. It's extremely helpful in showing that 1) the urgent isn't always what is important to the Lord, and 2) the devotional life is far more pressing on the soul than anything else. If I could give one criticism, Hummel doesn't quite define what he means by "wait for instructions" and "wait on the Lord" (it is a short book), and this may allow for more mystical approaches to answering life's problems. Still, the book theologically addresses an important and practical issue, and it's been a blessing as a result. Recommended.

[Magi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite out of date now

Obviously, the elephant in the room wasn’t anywhere near the room when Hummel wrote this. No pervasive social media, no constant live streams, no Netflix, no screen-time culture.
However, the notion that “urgent” is always crowding out the “important” is still a fascinating concept. Today, we might title this book Not My Monkeys.
I’m not sure budgeting time will keep you on track with your Bible study, when little Suzie has to go to urgent care for an ear ache. But, just recognizing between what is urgent and what is just an urge may help. (I’m looking at you, TikTok.)

[Crossroads Ecc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book encourages us to realize that we need to give priority to the important things, rather than the ones that seem so urgent. It will give you strategies for taking control of how you spend your time, and help you to align your schedule with the things you genuinely value.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Technologically dated, but principles as relevant as ever!

This is a wonderful booklet meant as a quick reference to provoke thought and give some general guidance. It is common sense in nature, and calls to your level of discipline.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read! I would recommend reading directly after the book "Priorities" by James C. Petty

[Onjaleke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very important concept for believers and time management. We need to take control of our time so that we can be better servants in the kingdom.

[becky’s mom]

a message everyone needs to hear, regardless of their religious affiliations: your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important ones. any time you feel the day has gotten away from you completely, really ask yourself exactly what you spend doing it. if you were to list out your top five priorities in order, would what you chose to spend the day doing match that list? if the answer is no, its time to reevaluate what eats away at your time. i know: easier said than done. but, hey! if even jesus, at the end of this live, with so much left to do for the world, was able to say "i have finished the work which thou gave me to do" maybe its not so unrealistic to try to do the same.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a recovering people pleaser, what I really loved about this book is the emphasis on completing what the Father has assigned to you. Jesus did so many good things on this earth, but He "always could have done more" in each town He visited. Nevertheless, He knew when it was time to move on because He was always listening to the Father. Refusing to accept the urgent demands of people allowed Him to successfully complete the work He was truly assigned and to fulfill His purpose. Following that example in our own lives ensures that we will fulfill the work we were placed on earth to complete and helps us avoid burnout.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time management from a Christian perspective. The central point is that we should prioritise the important rather than getting swept up in the daily habits and minutiae we consider to be urgent. To Hummel the important is prayer but that will vary according to the reader.

“A competent general always draws up his battle plan before he engages the enemy; he does not postpone basic decisions until the firing starts. But he is also prepared to change his plans if an emergency demands it. So try to implement the plans you have made before the day's battle against the clock begins. But be open to any emergency interruption or unexpected person who may call.”

[Chrysta Archer · Rating 3 out of 5]

His advice seems like common sense today, and with no credit to Stephen Covey who taught well on this in 7 Habits... And he includes some speculation on Jesus’ use of time. In fact, I think there could be a great case made that Jesus capitalized on the “urgent” quite frequently as He ministered to people.

Although, time management principles are much easier heard than applied, so I can’t be too hard on this guy. For an already short book (31 pages!) it should have been shortened to a blog post.

[Boydsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Common Sense Adaptation of Biblical Principles

"Work expands to fill all the available time." I've heard this many times in my life. But why? In large part it's because we don't know what our priorities are in life. Jesus told us how to prioritize our lives and our time. He took time for the important things of life, namely the needs of people. And Jesus took time to rest... on the sea, in the garden, on the mountain. It's not complicated, but it takes effort to overcome our physical human nature in lieu of the guiding of God.

[April Salazar]

Quick Read

My former pastor recommended this book in Sunday school class one day. I bought and downloaded it immediately! The irony is that its taken me years to finally devote time to read it. This is a great book to help you overcome the burdens this world holds over proper time management. By resetting your priorities, you can then reset your focus. Hummel helps us develop strategies to set the God ordained priorities of each individual life. If you struggle with time management, like I do, you HAVE to read this book!!!!!

[Greg Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dense with Spiritual wisdom

This book was a real foundation of my early spiritual life as a college student and then full time ministry leader. I had lost touch with it over the past 40-years and just recent rediscovered it. It is an extremely brief booklet packed with deeply spiritual, yet practical wisdom about waiting on and listening for God's voice and direction - being proactive, instead of reactive, in the use of our time and energy.
This book is worth it's weight in gold, times 1,000!

[Christy Keeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a terrific pamphlet for those who struggle with priorities and time management. I may have benefited from reading it many years ago when I was still working, but now that I am retired, I’m very good at setting and keeping my goals in terms of time.

That said, I am a tremendously goal-driven person. For those who struggle with this, the pamphlet is very instructive.

[Linda Leigh Hargrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been meaning to read this book for years. Finally got around it, thanks to eBooks offered by my public library. It is a good book, albeit dated. It made me think about how I use my God-given gifts of time, resources, talents, and training. I do tend to do things on a knee-jerk basis at times, instead of being prayerful. Thoughts?

[Angela Sangalang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening

A quick read that's easy to understand. The principle of the tyranny of the urgent is enlightening. A new perspective to consider when we feel like we don't have enough time to do what needs to be done.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read booklet that packs a powerful punch. A must read classic for all Christians about setting priorities and managing your time. It only takes about 30 minutes to read...and I'm a slow reader.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book calling on the reader to put aside some things for the things that matter most. In order to do that, we have to be intentional, diligent, and think ahead. Short read that any busy, stressed out, or tired person could work through and instantly apply to their lives.

[Ralph Bankston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book even for folks who are agnostic or atheist if you take out the god references and put it into your own moral framework. In this day and age with everything happening a nice read to center yourself.

[Pen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really short introduction to the topic, but a good look at how we spend our time and a potential path for incremental change. Really easy to read through, definitely harder to put into practice.

For fans of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and Waiting on God by Andrew Murray