The Death of Urgency

By Aaron Nichols

I lead a non-profit organization – South Bend Civic Theatre – which means I’m an emcee, a problem solver, and a crisis manager. My life was a series of sprints toward the next opening night, initiative, or collaboration. Because we produce nearly 200 events every year, I thrived on what Charles Hummel called the “tyranny of the urgent.” He argues that the “greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.” Our hectic schedule ensured that this dangerous possibility became my constant. I, like that anecdotal frog, was gradually allowing urgency to boil me alive.

This upside-down prioritization continued for the first few months of COVID. As a performing arts organization, I was pivoting every day. No indoor performances? We’ll take it outdoors! Social distancing? Actors and audiences in masks! Temperature checks! Free hand sanitizer! Eventually, after reimagining, auditioning, rehearsing, and building an entire summer series, the rising numbers forced our hand. On Monday, June 20, we postponed the entire 2020 season: nine productions representing over $400,000 in lost revenue.

That moment abruptly shifted my reality. After months of nimble (and frankly magical) thinking, the urgent was swept away leaving only the important. I tumbled down Maslow’s pyramid to discover how fragile my self-actualization actually was. After licking my wounds for a few weeks, I finally resigned myself to a phase I’m calling the apathy of the uncertain. I’m learning to forgive my lack of productivity, to be gentle with myself and others, to value rest over results.

Even as our remarkable staff is furloughed, our beautiful building is dark, and our programming is paused, the CIVIC survives. I’m still completing grants, talking to donors, and planning for the inevitable “what comes next.” But now, I’m awake. I see myself as more than just an extension of my job. I see my life as more than just the next meeting, the next event. Time has been reclaimed. Important has been reprioritized. Urgency (for now) is dead. R.I.P."

This snapshot is part of a project by Melies Kish called the Faces of Life. Kish has been taking photos of local people and sharing their story. This story is used by permission from Kish.

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