The Difference Between Urgency and Emergency: 10 Things That Rarely Require Our Immediate Attention

Inspired by Oliver Burkeman's latest newsletter.

What makes something urgent? Is it something we highly value and there is a time constraint placed on its completion? Or, is it someone else's priority and we've been tasked with helping them complete it?

Is there ever anything in this world that is truly urgent?

Next time something "urgent" is presented, pause and ask yourself: What is the worst thing that will happen if I don't complete this task right now? Further, what will happen if I *never* complete this task? If the answer has nothing to do with the health, safety, or financial stability of you or a loved one, then the answer can almost assuredly be that it is not urgent.

We should never stress over the so-called urgent things, as they do not possess the importance we place on them.

Emergencies, on the other hand, are things to which we must attend immediately. We know that a fire in our homes, a broken leg, or an automobile accident all require our attention right now.

Outside of emergencies, nothing in life requires our immediate attention. So relax and enjoy the ride.

Here are 10 things that are ostensibly urgent yet rarely constitute an emergency.