One of the common challenges I face when working with clients is when they get caught up in a constant state of urgency, where everything seems like a crisis that needs immediate attention. I had a client who was particularly prone to this—let’s just say they could have given any firefighter a run for their money in the sheer number of “fires” they created.

This client, a consultant specializing in time management and accountability, ironically found themselves in a perpetual cycle of reacting to every new issue that popped up. We’d be focused on Project A, and suddenly, a new shiny object would grab their attention, demanding that we drop everything to tackle it. But before we could complete that task, another fire would flare up, and the cycle would start all over again. It was pure chaos.

At first, I was baffled. How could someone so skilled in managing time be so reactive and disorganized? After diving deeper, I realized the core issue: the client lacked a clear vision of their goals. Without a roadmap, they couldn’t prioritize effectively, leading them to react to every situation as if it were an emergency.

To overcome this, I initiated a candid conversation and introduced the concept of the “Big 3″—the top three goals that should drive all their actions. Together, we mapped out a plan for the month that aligned with these goals. The impact was transformative. By the end of the second month, the constant stream of emergencies had slowed significantly, and we were able to focus on what truly mattered.

The lesson here is that not every situation is an emergency. Running around putting out fires will only burn you out. Instead, take the time to define your real goals and create a plan that keeps you focused on them. When you do, you’ll find that most of those fires will extinguish themselves, allowing you to achieve more meaningful and sustained success.