When I query clients, program participants and
business people in general, they consistently cite that the #1 thing that is
holding them back are… time management
problems.
How your organization’s people feel about their time corresponds
directly to their ability to produce results. Their internal attitudes about
time, inevitably serve to determine their perceptions and beliefs about their capabilities
on a daily basis.
A typical example of this internal thought (attitudinal) process are individuals
who are in their thirties and who hold the belief that their “biological clock is ticking”. The
perceived urgency to find a mate, get married and have children before it’s too
late… is a powerful force that can ultimately drive wrong thinking and
resultant decision making… all in the interest of attempting to force the issue
and make something happen.
In this common real life scenario, time is the
villain. The belief and perception is that time is working against them,
therefore time has become their “enemy”.
The widespread belief held by executives,
managers and organizational staff members that they are struggling with time
management problems…Is not an accurate representation of what is actually
occurring.
Simply stated, time management problems are not time management problems.
What your organization and your people are
actually experiencing are clarification
issues. When there is a lack of clarity about “goals” and “priorities” … time is inevitably destined to become your
enemy.
It is this very lack of clarity about goals and
priorities that over time inhibits good organizations from fulfilling their
mission statement, bringing it to life and having their people live it out on a
daily basis. Throughout my career, I have repeatedly observed that those people
who hold the belief that they have a time management problem are generally
deficient when it comes to long range planning, focusing on real goals and
organizational skills.
When these essential competencies are
deficient, it will adversely affect your people’s ability to set and achieve
goals, effectively prioritize, properly plan their work and stay on task.
Resultantly, these self-perceived time management problems… Are not
in reality time management problems at all.
In the final analysis, “when you are crystal clear about your goals… you definitively know
what your priorities are and exactly what systematic action steps need be taken.”
As your valued resource partner, we
can assist your organization and your people in making time their friend, while
helping them to… Learn more. Do more. Become more.
Copyright © 2016 Developing Forward
| Thomas H. Swank, CBC
