--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is urgent will always take…" description: "\"What is urgent will always take precedence over what is important.\" — Edward de Bono" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a32/edward-de-bono-2489_funny_what-is-urgent-will-always-take-preceden_535674.png" --- # What is urgent will always take precedence over what is… ![“What is urgent will always take precedence over what is important.” quote by Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a32/edward-de-bono-2489_funny_what-is-urgent-will-always-take-preceden_535674.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a32/edward-de-bono-2489_funny_what-is-urgent-will-always-take-preceden_535674.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a32/edward-de-bono-2489_funny_what-is-urgent-will-always-take-preceden_535674.png) > “What is urgent will always take precedence over what is important.” [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Urgent tasks dominate attention, often sidelining important but less pressing work. **In simple terms:** Urgency crowds out importance. Key Takeaway Prioritize importance over urgency. Themes time management prioritization focus Mood analytical urgent Type strategic practical When to use this quote - work deadlines - emergency response - personal goals Key Concepts decision theory productivity Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate true urgency? A Different Perspective Urgency can be manipulated to distract. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [The next thing you do today will be the most important thing on your agenda, because, after all, you're doing it next. Well, perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-next-thing-you-do-today-will-be-the-most-important-thing-on-your/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [In New York, you are constantly faced with this very urgent decision that you have to make, about every twenty minutes...you have to decide,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cross/in-new-york-you-are-constantly-faced-with-this-very-urgent-decision/) [David Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cross/) > [We've lost touch and allowed technology to take precedence over organic nature. But let's not forget that those microchips in our computers came from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilio-estevez/we-ve-lost-touch-and-allowed-technology-to-take-precedence-over/) [Emilio Estevez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilio-estevez/) > [ Kids absolutely not reading. I think it's because they're so screen-oriented \[TVs, computers, smartphones\]. They do read - girls in particular read a lot.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/kids-absolutely-not-reading-i-think-it-s-because-they-re-so-screen/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The films dramatic requirements should always take precedence over the mere aesthetics of editing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dmytryk/the-films-dramatic-requirements-should-always-take-precedence-over/) [Edward Dmytryk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dmytryk/) > [I believe that sensory pleasure should take precedence over intellectual pleasure in art and architecture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-rudofsky/i-believe-that-sensory-pleasure-should-take-precedence-over/) Bernard Rudofsky > [Nature will take precedence over the needs of the modern man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-udall/nature-will-take-precedence-over-the-needs-of-the-modern-man/) [Stewart Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-udall/) > [The most basic task of any museum must be the protection of works of cultural significance entrusted to its care for the edification and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-filler/the-most-basic-task-of-any-museum-must-be-the-protection-of-works-of/) [Martin Filler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-filler/) > [Historically the opposition to abortion and birth control ... stemmed from the urgency of the need to decrease the mortality and morbidity rates and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-summerskill-baroness-summerskill/historically-the-opposition-to-abortion-and-birth-control-stemmed/) Edith Summerskill, Baroness Summerskill > [Of all "rights" which command attention at the present time among us, woman's rights seem to take precedence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/of-all-rights-which-command-attention-at-the-present-time-among-us/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [The need of reason is not inspired by the quest for truth but by the quest for meaning. And truth and meaning are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/the-need-of-reason-is-not-inspired-by-the-quest-for-truth-but-by-the/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [The most interesting aspect for me, composing exclusively with patterns, is that there is not one organizational procedure more advantageous than another, perhaps because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-feldman/the-most-interesting-aspect-for-me-composing-exclusively-with/) [Morton Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-feldman/) > [Planning is an unnatural process; it is much more fun to do something. The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-harvey-jones/planning-is-an-unnatural-process-it-is-much-more-fun-to-do-something/) [John Harvey-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-harvey-jones/) > [People want their own laws to take precedence over those of the European Union. The French have understood that the EU does not live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/people-want-their-own-laws-to-take-precedence-over-those-of-the/) [Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/) > [Love enters the heart unawares: takes precedence of all the emotions--or, at least, will be second to none--and even reflection becomes its accomplice. While…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/love-enters-the-heart-unawares-takes-precedence-of-all-the-emotions/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) ## More by Edward de Bono > [We still seek to solve conflicts with 'judgement' instead of designing the way forwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/we-still-seek-to-solve-conflicts-with-judgement-instead-of-designing/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Traditional thinking is all about "what is" Future thinking will also need to be about what can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/traditional-thinking-is-all-about-what-is-future-thinking-will-also/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [“In 80% of Socrates' dialogues there was no constructive outcome. He saw his role as simply pointing out what was "wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/in-80-of-socrates-dialogues-there-was-no-constructive-outcome-he-saw/) [Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [The music that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-music-that-really-turns-me-on-is-either-running-toward-god-or/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [People should realize we're jerks just like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/people-should-realize-we-re-jerks-just-like-them/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [The effective thinker treats arrogance as the major sin of thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-effective-thinker-treats-arrogance-as-the-major-sin-of-thinking/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [To be successful you have to be lucky, or a little mad, or very talented, or find yourself in a rapid growth field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/to-be-successful-you-have-to-be-lucky-or-a-little-mad-or-very/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/argument-is-meant-to-reveal-the-truth-not-to-create-it/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Complexity creates confusion, simplicity focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/complexity-creates-confusion-simplicity-focus/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [The weapons of the positive revolution are not bullets and bombs but simple human perceptions. Bullets and bombs may offer physical power but eventually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-weapons-of-the-positive-revolution-are-not-bullets-and-bombs-but/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [“In real-life situations apparently logical lines of argument are often (not always) based on an inability to see alternative possibilities. In a similar way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/in-real-life-situations-apparently-logical-lines-of-argument-are/) [Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [An expert is someone who has succeeded in making decisions and judgements simpler through knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/an-expert-is-someone-who-has-succeeded-in-making-decisions-and/) [Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [It wouldn't cost too much to change the rules of trade so that poor countries can work their way out of poverty. But the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/it-wouldn-t-cost-too-much-to-change-the-rules-of-trade-so-that-poor/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [It has always surprised me how little attention philosophers have paid to humor, since it is a more significant process of mind than reason.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/it-has-always-surprised-me-how-little-attention-philosophers-have/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [The need to be right all the time is the biggest bar to new ideas. It is better to have enough ideas for some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-need-to-be-right-all-the-time-is-the-biggest-bar-to-new-ideas-it/) [Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) [Explore all 161 Edward de Bono quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) ## More Funny quotes > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Sometimes I look at my awesome twitter followers & think to myself, What the hell would I do without them :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/sometimes-i-look-at-my-awesome-twitter-followers-think-to-myself-what/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [The happy have whole days,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colley-cibber/the-happy-have-whole-days/) [Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colley-cibber/) > [Congratulations to Facebook on going public with all my private information...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/congratulations-to-facebook-on-going-public-with-all-my-private/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why are things as they are and not otherwise?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-kepler/why-are-things-as-they-are-and-not-otherwise/) [Johannes Kepler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-kepler/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [Penis goes in , sperms cums out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/penis-goes-in-sperms-cums-out/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [If you were to send a werewolf to the moon, would he be a werewolf permanently?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-schaal/if-you-were-to-send-a-werewolf-to-the-moon-would-he-be-a-werewolf/) [Kristen Schaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-schaal/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/) [Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/) > [Don't think OF the market. Think AS the market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fishman/don-t-think-of-the-market-think-as-the-market/) Michael Fishman [Browse all 39,858 Funny quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What is urgent will always take precedence over what is important.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward de Bono" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/what-is-urgent-will-always-take-precedence-over-what-is-important/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Funny" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/what-is-urgent-will-always-take-precedence-over-what-is-important/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a32/edward-de-bono-2489_funny_what-is-urgent-will-always-take-preceden_535674.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a32/edward-de-bono-2489_funny_what-is-urgent-will-always-take-preceden_535674.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a32/edward-de-bono-2489_funny_what-is-urgent-will-always-take-preceden_535674.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What is urgent will always take precedence over what is important.” — Edward de Bono", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edward de Bono", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What is urgent will always take...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/what-is-urgent-will-always-take-precedence-over-what-is-important/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/what-is-urgent-will-always-take-precedence-over-what-is-important/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```