My children went back to school yesterday. I learned something profound from them over the summer. Here it is:
The more time you have to do something, the longer it takes.
It’s true. Yesterday, on the first day of school, my children got more done than any single day of summer. Not just school work, mind you. They also got in more play time and were overall much more productive. Why? Their time was so limited they had to be organized. They had to plan and schedule their activities. So, naturally, they got more done. I’ve seen this happen in my own life, too. The tighter the deadline, the more efficient I become. I’ve learned that I only get done what I plan to do.
But what about my perennial excuse that “I didn’t have enough time!?” In most cases, it just doesn’t hold water. This reminds me of a poem that I read many years ago. I don’t know who the author is, but the message is just as true today as it was then. Here it is:
Success Tip: Don’t just hope you’ll have time to get something done. Plan it, schedule it, then do it. That is a recipe for success.
It’s true! The more organized I get, the more I get done.
Look for perfection in your own work
It’s true, but it depends upon the person’s attitude. I know a guy who is good in areas of the job but his attitude towards time management sucks and he doesn’t bother to improve or change it. It’s been years and to make it worse, he creates excuses every time! I really feel sorry for him. On the other hand, a second guy I know has the right attitude. Therefore he has a much better image among the team members and is more reliable most of the time when you ask for a favor.
Thanks