Where I am...

This is not meant to be a philosophical reflection or a confession of any sort but simply an observation on something relevant to anything you may want to accomplish.

“Where I was, where I am, and where I will be”

Words that wandered into my head a couple of days ago almost as a mantra, and have stuck with me ever since. I don’t think they will shake loose until I’ve made my peace.

These words start in the present and draw a line in the sand; a benchmark from which to reflect, as well as look forward to the possibilities. A benchmark forever shifting — Tick tock, tick tock. This does not necessarily indicate progression but simply movement. A movement of time and the movement of activity, where time is the only constant and the activity is ever dynamic. Taking you from there to here and ultimately from here to there. Tick tock, tick tock.

This movement can be progress and these humble words offer an important signpost to reflect, evaluate, course correct and continue the journey; a journey that is never linear because straight lines are a human invention. A journey that takes you ever closer to that mountain you want to climb, and that’s what’s important. Remember though, it has to be your mountain because a journey to climb someone else’s mountain is a fool’s errand which has you forever asking, “Where am I?” Tick Tock, tick tock.

There is a truth that needs to be accepted, not in these words per se, but in how you look at where you stand and at that footsteps that mark the sand. A false view gets you lost with nothing but wasted time for your efforts. Tick tock, tick tock.

This hasn’t shaken out the way I thought I will admit.

I thought maybe this would meander to a commentary advocating good plans and maps to your find your way but that’s not where I found myself. Warren Buffet, a man who admittedly is wealthy enough to buy more or less anything says the one think he cannot buy is time. It is finite, constant, and the same for everyone.

So in the end, it turns out the words “where I was, where I am, and where I will be” are a reminder to stop dicking around and get to it because there is only so much time.

Tick tock, tick tock.

iamgpe

Moments — 86,400 seconds

I’m not sure she meant to be so loud when she lamented, “There is just not enough time in the day”. She was though, and I heard her from the other side of the room.

One day. 24 hours. 1,440 minutes. 86,400 seconds **. This is all we get to work with. This is all the time we get each day to do everything we believe we need to do.

And everyone is equal in this regard — there isn’t someone who is getting a second more or a second less.

I can’t be sure what was causing her frustration with time but I can only assume she was juggling number of things she needed to get done. Had she just been overly optimistic with what she could get done, was it poor prioritization, or maybe she’s just not very efficient at getting things done. The only thing I can be certain of, no matter what the reason, she wasn’t very happy.

Every day we allot time for what we have to do and manage our 86,400 seconds accordingly; it becomes one of the purest examples of opportunity cost… If I go out with friends for drinks I suppose I can’t go to the gym, unless of course I get up two hours earlier, but then I won’t be able to see the kids off to school…

It’s a constant exercise of juggling these 86,400 seconds, and more importantly, using them efficiently to get done what you want to get done. Sadly, they are one use only.

And hopefully another 86,400 seconds comes along.

iamgpe

** I really hope my math is accurate

In search of creative problem solving... a case study.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

The topic of meetings came up the other day, as well as the love-hate relationship we have with them. When managed well they are a great forum for transferring information, leveraging the power of a group and driving the implementation of initiatives; when they are not, they are a desert of great despair and frustration. One of the greater challenges is time management, particularly if you are dealing with a number of meetings back, to back, to back, to back... for me, meetings start on time and are managed to an agenda. With that said, let me set the stage.

There was a time when I was the lead for a training program that involved the hiring, training and strategic deployment of entry level sales professionals into the field; high potential people with little or no experience in the business world. Most, if not all, were Millennials*: well educated, technologically savvy, strong sense of self worth, work-life balance expectations and full of an infectious energy. On day two of a particular training program, it was time for lunch and I make it clear that we start the meeting back up at 1:00 "sharp"... stressing the importance that everyone be back on time. After the room empties, I mention to a colleague that I will not be surprised if some of them are late. He smiles and I do not.

I want to pause for a moment to offer some thoughts on "problems". Problems and challenges come with all situations and we regularly identify what problems may lie ahead; we then tend to stack rank these problems so we can deal with the most important ones first. The thing about problems though, is they tend to be connected to other potential problems that can actually have more impact. Now circling back to my little drama, the "face value" issue with being late for lunch was a small problem as the agenda gets pushed back by 15 minutes. However, there was a much bigger problem lurking if it is not dealt with - A slippery slope would be created that would lead to compromising the authority structure, erode credibility, and ultimately devalue the core foundations being taught to ensure success. It would end up being a long four months for sure.

• Identify actual and potential problems that you are going to have to deal with.
• Remember perceived smaller problems can lead to larger problems if not dealt with appropriately
• Stack rank these problems so you can deal with them in the most efficient manner
• Remember problems have a mind of their own, so sometimes they never appear and sometimes they leave you little time to deal with them.

My watch says 12:50 and some people are back in the room; by 1:00, only half of the class is back. I had been mentally working on a number of solutions to my small, but potentially, big fat problem, and landed on this one. I simply said to the people in the room, "Well it looks like we have to wait for the others and I'm wondering, do you think their time is more valuable than your time?" Loaded questions are so much fun, as the answer I got back was "no" - And rightfully so!

As we waited, and as people filtered in, I deliberately asked them to stay standing. It was here that I was struck with a little bit of creativity to ensured my problem went away. I waited for all but one of the stragglers to arrive and I started discussing quietly the value and importance of people's time and waited. As the last last person entered the back of the room I very dramatically put up my hand and said " STOP RIGHT THERE! IS YOUR TIME MORE VALUABLE THAN THEIR TIME!" (accompanied by the appropriate hand gestures). To that he answered quietly, "No sir". I then emphatically reviewed the value of respecting people, time, and what we are doing. I let them all sit down and at 1:15 started up again. It was 15 minutes well spent in my mind.

• More often of not, there are a number of solutions to a problem; work with the one you believe will be the most effective.
• In my experience creativity does come with a "flash like" entrance. Go with it when it does.
• Deal with a problem. Don't avoid it. It will not go away and will just become bigger and more complicated.

If you are wondering, no one was ever late again and I had solved my little problem. But you know, there will always be another, and so there should... this is how we learn, grow and thrive. Now let me tell you about the time someone thought it was a good idea to bounce a basketball outside my office door...

gpe

* Millennials, also known as the Millennial Generation or Generation Y are the demographic cohort following Generation X. There are no precise dates when the generation starts and ends. Researchers and commentators use birth years ranging from the early 1980s to the early 2000s (Wikapedia). I have spend many years hiring, training, coaching and working with Millennials. They are great fun and have taught me so much !