Busy Fools

A key to success is aligning the strategy, business plan and individuals focus and effort. Are the right people spending enough time on the right things? This is not a question of time management it is about priorities. People cannot have 27 priorities; by definition they need 3 or 4.

A great test is to ask people what their job priorities are and then ask them to review their diaries over the past month and see how much time they have actually spent on their priorities. Most people get a big shock from this test.

It is too easy to confuse activity with productivity. Busy fools rush round from meeting to meeting telling everybody how busy they are…… productive people work out what their priorities are and put time in their diaries and stick to it.

Another test: When people call and ask for a meeting you put it in your diary. Q. Whose objectives are you meeting? Normally theirs. How often do you put time in your diary to focus on your priorities and stick to it?

Lesson: You are prepared to help other people reach their objectives but not your own…..

Q. Do all your key people understand their priorities – linked to the strategy and the business plan - and have they put the time in their diaries to focus on it?

Moral: An objective without a plan is a dream…..

So don't let yourself or your team be busy fools!