It’s helpful to think of our need for an effectiveness system as the same need that executives, lords, and ladies (think of the popular costume drama) of old had of their secretaries, butlers, and house managers.
Back in the day, the work of farm or factory workers and lower-level managers had been industrially engineered into simple, repeated tasks. If you were in these sorts of roles, you really had no need to prioritize, organize, and manage your tasks.
The executives, lords. and ladies, on the other hand, had work that was varied, dynamic, and wide-ranging. They were busy running corporations and estates. And they knew they could not keep track of it all. Their assorted personal assistants were ubiquitous, resourceful, trusted, and reliable. They kept it all running smoothly.
Today, our work is much more like that of those executives, lords, and ladies. Every day we tackle piles of tasks that are varied, dynamic, and wide-ranging. Most of us, though, will not be hiring personal assistants any time soon. We use clever tools instead.
Consider this, then: how can your effectiveness system become more like your valet, maid, or personal secretary? What tweaks will help it become more ubiquitous, resource-full, trusted, and reliable?
In your corner,
Mike
Today’s photo credit: GriffinStar7 via photopin cc
What a creative analogy! Thanks for the food for thought.
Thank you. 🙂