This was one of those blog titles that I plugged in a few weeks ago because I thought it would be a good topic for one of my upcoming posts. As I opened up wordpress to start in on the post I had to laugh. This is a picture of my desk at the exact moment I logged in. Appropriate subject? Ya Think!
I have been very transparent about my “comfort zone” when it comes to my work space. Most of my life, I have had a million things going on, finishing very few of them in a timely manner, but feeling achievement by getting lots done. Right? I guess it’s a matter of perspective. Checking 30 items off your list in one day may appear to be a huge success. But if you had three hundred items when you started the day, maybe not so much.
Being Busy And Productive Is Not Enough
I have learned a lot about the difference between being busy and being productive over the past few years and it has helped. In my defense, I have been working diligently on getting the draft done for my new book, Leadership by Invitation, and earlier today, I was pulling quotes from several different sources (as you can tell) but my desk still ends up like this at least once a week. I guess old habits are hard to break.
For the most part, I have turned being busy into being productive, but with that success (if you can call it that) I have come to realize that there is a new level in achievement. That comes form moving from productivity to effectiveness. Now you might think that these two words mean relatively the same thing. Well, not in my world. And here is why.
Success Comes When We Move From Productive To Effective
As I have focused in on living out my purpose – “building what matters – people!” – I have realized that we can be very productive, while at the same time not be effective at all. Huh? In my book, I talk about strategies and vision that produce results. These results are based upon a specific purpose. Do you see where I’m going with this?
I can be very productive, take out the trash, wood on the fire, shovel the snow off the driveway and so on. All of these are productive, but really don’t connect back to my purpose. Based on my experience, many people out there are lost somewhere in this state of confusion. They get busy with a list, over time that list grows (with many items serving other people’s purpose rather than their own) and they lose sight of what they really want to accomplish.
So what can bring clarity to all of this and help you maintain focus on fulfilling your purpose? In a few months you will be able to read the long version when the book comes out, but here is a snapshot for you that might help you get headed in the right direction.
How To RSVP Your Way To Success
Be clear on your VISION. What do you really want? If you are in a leadership position, and you are, what vision are you casting to those around you? Are you even casting a vision?
Once you identify that vision, you need to determine your role in achieving it. That’s right, your purpose. Identifying and understanding your PURPOSE is what brings additional clarity to the big picture and helps you to stay on task. (Tweet This / Post to LinkedIn)
Now that you have a vision and understand your purpose in fulfilling that vision, you need a strategy to achieve that vision and fulfill your purpose. The right STRATEGY is what keeps your work not just productive, but effective.
Now that the strategy is in place and you are casting your vision and fulfilling your purpose, take a look at the RESULTS you are getting. If they are not what you identified within your strategy, make the necessary course corrections and stay at it.
There is a quick look at what’s coming up in much more detail, but I believe that even taking a little time right now to see how your current condition or circumstance fits into this framework, might just make a difference for you.
The Question: Are you being productive or effective?
The Challenge: Take a look at your activities and find something you are doing in which you can move from being not just productive, but effective.
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Barry Smith 2/10/14 photo by author © Building What Matters 2014
