In today’s article, I’d like to speak about some effective and ineffective ways to structure day-to-day. Notice today’s title “If you must work more than 8 hours a day your systems are broken.” I did not say if you choose to work more than 8 hours a day your systems are broken. Kudos to those who love what they do and do it all day!
The truth is… if we work long hard hours and the whole day feels like chaos it’s because it is. I’ve been there and will be there again at some point, but I’ve been blessed to come across books like “The E-Myth Revisited” and “Traction: Get a grip on your Business.” Both of these books offer insight into what it takes to restructure the daily “grind” and turn it into a clean well-oiled machine.
This post is just as much for managers working within a business than it is for CEO’s running their own operation. So I’ve stated the problem… that if you work a lot its because things are broken… but how about solving it?
Here are my thoughts.
Every position has integral parts and responsibilities. Things that must get done no matter what. But if they’re not getting done – or if they’re taking to long – then something is missing in the picture. I recommend writing down everything that needs to happen within your role – allowing you to begin to work ON the role rather than IN it. Ask yourself a couple of questions…
- “Is there a better way of doing this?”
- “Can I delegate some of the things I find less desirable to someone else who would be good at them?”
- “What do I need to focus on to get the MAJORS accomplished?”
- “Is there a software that could make my job easier?”
- “If I’m having this problem someone must have already before. Whom can I contact?”
Asking these questions will get you thinking differently about your role and business, allowing you freedom from everyday technical work. Most of these issues someone has already had before, so get resourceful. Also, once you have all the responsibilities and tasks of your role onto a blank sheet of paper, you can begin to schedule more effectively. I regularly reassess what I need to do, but haven’t gotten to, looking for better ways to structure my week’s schedule. Then I simply put it into google calendar. Wala.
If you always forget to call a client, could you schedule a recurring reminder to catch this blindspot?
If you have a bunch of loose-loof papers on your desk could you categorize them, put them in manila folders, and know where they are when you need them?
Remember the majority of your struggles someone else has experienced. The problem has already been solved. Just ask yourself “What’s missing in this picture?” and you’ll find your blind spot.
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