Cancel Urgency Culture
How often do you observe your body and what it tells you during the day? When have you stopped to note how your body responds to the constant notifications and messages throughout the day? Take note, just for a few days, and you may be surprised at what your body tells you.
In answer to the question of what happens in your body when you're "switched on" constantly, you likely experience sudden, slight, noticeable heart palpitations. A number of us reading this will likely experience anxiety because we are so "reachable" constantly. Think about it: friends, family, colleagues and clients are now on email, call our numbers; they are sending voice notes on Whatsapp, Telegram or Signal (admit, we're on every platform) and are even sliding into DMs on Instagram and TikTok. This has all created an unhealthy "urgency culture" in which we have to feel guilty for not replying immediately, whether it's too late at night, whether you're busy or don't feel like it.
If you're trying to define urgency culture, it's probably what you think it is. Elizabeth Marglin describes urgency culture: "Urgency culture, the idea that we are all available on-demand, almost all the time, didn't begin with the pandemic, but the pandemic sure exacerbated it. This kind of urgency dilutes real urgency, blurring distinctions and creating unnecessary urgency, which creates stress and slows work down. All too often, this kind of false urgency embeds itself as a toxic part of your work culture, imperceptibly becoming the new norm." This has not painted a pretty picture. It’s not a pretty picture. What happens when urgency culture runs our world?
In a single word, urgency culture leads to "burnout." When you least expect it, the perpetual state of anxiety is overwhelming. As human beings, we're not meant to be "always on." Cultivating mindfulness practices and time to pray or meditate and slow down is crucial because it allows us to disconnect from the outside world, turn inward and connect with God and self. Something's got to give, so don't let it be you. Here are some tips on canceling "urgency culture" in your world.
Intentionally delay responding to emails, texts etc. Take your time to respond. Finish the tasks you intended to do and respond if required when you have a moment.
Boundaries. If you're responding to work emails at 22h00 or the work WhatsApp group after hours when it can wait, that's on you! If you need to discuss your boundaries with your team, do so.
Watch your vocabulary. Words do shape our world. If you describe everything as "urgent", that will determine the energy you cultivate around you. Change your vocabulary. Instead of urgent, it could be a priority.
Turn your phone to Do not disturb or flight mode for short amounts of time till you can do so for longer. Disengage from work when you're not working.
If we're going to engage with cancel culture, let it concern those things that do not serve us. Urgency culture does not serve us!