#Urgency

Urgent Tenderness as the Artist’s Discipline

Seen psychologically, “urgency” aligns with activation—dopamine, novelty, and the drive to pursue—while “tenderness” aligns with regulation—self-compassion, patience, and the ability to tolerate imperfection. Modern conversations about burnout echo this pairing: intensity without care consumes the maker, and care without intensity can drift into avoidance. Van Gogh’s phrasing anticipates this by treating creative output as something that must be protected as it is produced. In other words, tenderness is not a break from work; it is part of the work’s survival strategy. With that in place, urgency can stay bright without becoming corrosive. [...]

Urgency Theater and the Illusion of Progress

Therefore, the remedy is not slowness but integrity. Couple timelines with public ledgers of impact; define exit criteria before launching initiatives; sunset programs that miss outcomes; and distribute decision power to communities who bear the consequences. These mechanisms convert time pressure into ethical pressure, so that speed serves substance. When urgency is braided with transparency and consent, calling it progress is not a euphemism but an earned description. [...]

This Is Your Life, and It's Ending One Minute at a Time - Chuck Palahniuk

Palahniuk suggests the importance of living in the present and appreciating each moment, rather than getting lost in regrets of the past or anxieties about the future. [...]

Act Now, for Now Is All You Have - J. P. Morgan

By highlighting the transience of time, the quote encourages people to reflect on their actions and decisions rather than succumbing to regret over opportunities lost by inaction. [...]

Take Action, Every Day, as If It Were Your Last - Michael Ende

Michael Ende, a renowned German author best known for works like 'The Neverending Story,' often explored themes of fantasy, creativity, and the human experience, reflecting a deep understanding of life’s complexities and the importance of imagination. [...]

Seize the Day, and Put the Least Possible Trust in Tomorrow - Horace

The quote captures a philosophical ethos that values immediate actions and decisions over waiting for ideal future conditions, aligning with the Carpe Diem tradition, which Horace is often associated with. [...]

Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying - Stephen King

This quote from Stephen King, a prolific author known for his suspenseful and thought-provoking stories, appears in 'The Shawshank Redemption,' highlighting themes of hope, resilience, and the human spirit’s determination. [...]