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Monday's with Job Week #15
This is the 15th week of Monday’s With Job, a simple idea I started to share every Monday.
One practical productivity insight to help you work better, stay focused, and finish stronger.
I had an interesting experience recently that I would like to share with you. I had to drop my visiting guests at the airport, I had made all the arrangements and planned my driving as well, well beforehand.
On the morning when I was ready to drop them off, things changed. I had to drop my wife off as she was running late and there was no sign of any e-hailing cars that was responding. As time was running I had to decide whether to drop my wife off or to let her be late.
I decided I was going to drop my wife off, knowing I need to reach the airport within 1 hour plus. It turned out dropping my wife took 1 hour because of the heavy traffic in the morning. Upon dropping her, I had to travel to the airport which took 1 hour more due to the traffic on the other side.
I thought the road will be less congested because it is away from the city however I was wrong. I still made it to the airport and my guests had to rush as it was close to boarding time.
I learned that I could better prepare for this.
Here a few things that I would like to share with you on that.
- To Be Effective Sometimes You Need To Take Calculated Risks
Effective means doing the right things even when it is difficult so that you progress on the right direction. Of course we plan to do the right things but unexpected things can change the plan and we need to be flexible.
Being flexible means we need to be able to decide. Of course when it comes to changing plans it always involves some risks. That is why I say calculated risk, because you know what will happen if things don't work out well and that awareness helps you.
We cannot completely eliminate all risks because decisions accompany with risks as well, so therefore it wise that you assess the situation, then decide and start moving instead of being paralyzed by the idea of taking risks.
2. Taking The Risk Also Means Taking Responsibility
When I decided I didn't know what was the outcome going to be whether we make it on time to the airport or not, I only knew that I was going to do my best. Thankfully my guests understood my intention to drop my wife. The thing about taking calculated risks is that sometimes it may work, sometimes it may not.
I didn't want to blame the traffic except I was thinking I could have better prepared for this, perhaps by leaving earlier or doing a booking in advance for the pick up. Only error on my part was not anticipating any changes.
I thought everything will be smooth and will go according to plan on the day. Well in work and life, things don't go according to plan all the time. We must prepare, and this brings me to my third point.
3. Have Additional Buffer Time In Your Planning.
If I would have had an extra buffer time, that would have saved me a lot of worry and stress. For an example like traveling, have 1 hour extra buffer time just in case if you needed it.
Office work or administrative, have an extra buffer time, so that you can better manage it instead of rushing and having time constrain issues.
A phone call that lasts 30 to 45 minutes can easily impact your day or put you behind in terms of what needs to be completed.
Traffic can happen
Delay can happen
Unexpected situation can happen
It is important to have buffer time in your planning so that whatever changes happens you are prepared to handle it, decide precisely and do your best without being stressed out for time and other worries.
So, this week, as you plan your work and commitments, don't just ask:
“How much time do I need?”
Also ask:
"how much buffer time do I need?”
Because productivity is not about creating a perfect plan.
It is about creating a plan that can survive the unexpected.
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Have a productive week ahead!
About The Author
I help individuals, teams, and organizations to unlock their full potential by equipping them with the skills and strategies needed to succeed in today’s world.
Learn more at www.jobthecoach.com
Connect on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/jobthecoach
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Job Manikkam (jobthecoach@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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