Becoming Our Best
"BUSY-NESS VS. GETTING THINGS DONE"
As our culture moves ever more rapidly, we seem to have lost sight of the difference between the constant need to be doing something and really getting the important things done. The line between doing work and personal items has also blurred. The result seems to be that we intersperse personal calls, e-mails and tasks of the home with our work day and then take work home at night to time-slice in between family responsibilities and other necessary involvements.
And now Thanksgiving and Christmas are looming on the horizon, to further complicate things. There must be a better way.
What would this better way look like? It appears to me that we need to separate the routine tasks of our work life from those of home, as much as possible. Then concentrate on doing the important ones first. Here are some guidelines which may help:
• Plan your day to finish important work assignments at the workplace and strive to make that happen.
• Set aside special, limited times for phone calls and e-mail.
• Don't fall into the trap of making a call to a friend to avoid taking on a difficult task.
• Talk with your team about what is important and stay focused on it
• Reward yourself when you maintain good priorities. It will help reinforce the new habits.
Many of you are familiar with the image of the container, with large, medium-sized and small rocks, plus sand and water to be placed in it. If we start filling the container with the smaller stuff, it will run over. If we start with the larger ones, we can put everything in the container. Same thing with work. Fit the small tasks around the big ones; and do the home work in the morning and evening at home. It will make a difference in your life, and the life of your team.
Author: Bruce Johnsen Management Consultant:
824 Munras Ave Suite G
Monterey, CA 93940
831-373-5969
bruce@brucejohnsen.com
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