Steven Covey's UI quadrants:
It works on the balance of Urgent and Important... Some things are Important, and also Urgent. Do them Now.
Other things are really important, but not Urgent. Do them sooner than later.
Some things are really Urgent, but not that important. Do them when you have time...
Things that are neither Urgent nor Important usually just clutter up our day... my wife likes to add things like this to my lists...
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Problem is, most of us get all wound up about Urgent things, and forget the important things.
Things like Family. Safety. Faith. Friends. Time to sit and reflect, to smell the roses, to give thanks.
Next time you find yourself caught up in the "thick of thin things", ask yourself whether what you are doing is Urgent, or Important.