Time-energy
Drain: Why Does it Happen to You?
by
Francine R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE
Many
of my clients experience time crunch---the word I like to use is
energy drain. We think we don't have enough time, and if you
look underneath a bit, what is really being spread thin is our ENERGY.
In
response to what I see my clients (and myself!) experiencing, I
developed a model to help them evaluate the Underlying
Dynamics of Time-Energy Drain™--this is the first step to
remedying the situation. Here is a brief outline of the THREE
big areas where we give up our power and energy. Download
the free Venn diagram I created for clients to use as a reference.
Dynamic
#1: Ineffective Load Management
Simply
put, you're taking on too much work, or you haven't put in
structures and systems to off-load work that is repetitive or
automatic.
Taking
on too much work generally means: a) You haven't set up simple
systems, such as secretarial help, or Outlook folders, or a good
filing system, or b) You don't have a clear idea what the scope of
your work is--a common situation with new leaders--or c) You know what
your scope of work is, but you are not protecting your boundaries
around it.
For
many of my clients, "C" above is their downfall. They
acquiesce to taking on more work than they or their team can
reasonably handle because they fear incurring the wrath of a boss, or
earning a career "black mark" as a
"slacker." The remedy here is to learn how to
state your boundaries AND still preserve your status as a valued and
productive person. And get over the idea that you're a slacker.
Dynamic
#2: Trying to Control an Outcome
The
biggie is here is taking on other people's work because you think you
can do it better. A related dynamic is not holding other people
accountable. It takes time to outline what you expect from your staff
or team member---we often don't want to take that step because we see
it as time-consuming! Or we get frustrated when they stumble on the
task the first time. But, don't own the monkey! William
Oncken and Donald Wass, authors of a classic Harvard Business Review
article, "Who's
Got the Monkey" describe the all too common behavior of
leaders who take the "monkey" of accountability off the
shoulders of their staff or team, and put it on their own back.
[To obtain a copy the HBR article click
here]
Get
out of the habit of saying to your subordinates or team members:
"Here, I'll do it myself; or "I'll take care of that for
you." Instead train yourself to ask your colleagues
"What would support you in getting this completed? Where are you
stuck?"
Dynamic
#3 Over-preparation
I
sometimes see a client (or myself) doing what I call
"grinding." Grinding is where you've already prepared
the "intellectual" portion of a presentation, an article or
report, but you continue to spend endless time tweaking and
revising---grinding down your energy. While being a
perfectionist can have its benefits, there is the law of diminishing
returns. More importantly, it is crucial to remember that when
you are asked to speak, write, or prepare a strategy, your audience is
counting on your INSIGHTS. Don't confuse a pile of data, facts,
graphs and reports, for the simple few "truths" or pearls of
wisdom that are coming from the intuitive side of you. Trust that your
insights will be accepted without a volume of paper and flash to back
you up. Keep it simple.
Are
you interested in delving more into the Underlying Dynamics of Time
Energy Drain? In March I'll hold a FREE tele-conference on this
topic. (See tele-classes below) You will have an opportunity to share
your own challenges in time management and see how we can resolve them
using the Underlying Dynamics of Time-Energy Drain model. In the
meantime, please download the FREE diagram that I routinely give to my
clients. Click
here.
Francine
R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE is an executive coach and business
consultant. She is president of The Gaillour Group and director
of Creative Strategies in Physician Leadership. Dr. Gaillour is
a professional speaker on healthcare leadership, technology and
cultural change.
She
can be reached at (888) 562-7289 or francine@physicianleadership.com
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