Chatting to an organised corporate manager yesterday, he told me he kept a stopwatch in the office for “myth-busting” purposes. Occasionally a staff member will delay sending out an invoice, for example, because they “don’t have time”. So he puts their theory to the test, standing by with the stopwatch while the invoice is prepared. And so the myth is busted, when the invoice is prepared in under 2 minutes.
While this method tests theories, it could also test relationships, so I don’t recommend you overuse it. But it’s certainly something to keep in mind when you catch yourself saying “I don’t have time” for the important things in your life. Often we spend more time working out ways to avoid a job than it would actually take to complete.
I think I would hate a boss like that! On the other hand, as a manager, I’d be frustrated with employees with that attitude. Maybe it’s just as well I’m a solopreneur! 🙂
But I do like the idea of using this method with ourselves, because I can’t even remember how many times I’ve put something off for a really long time that ended up taking only a few minutes to complete. I’d love to know why we do that to ourselves…
That is the truth! I almost gave up writing an article because in my mind it was a HUGE task on a topic that I was not an expert in. I sternly told myself one night as the deadline got closer that I couldn’t get up until it was done! I got started and it took a whole 45 mintues! Wow!! Done!!
Yes, Janet, why do we do this!!! 🙂
Way to go, Tracy! Sometimes the first step is the hardest one…