Act 2: The Consultant and the Boss
See Act 1, “The Conflict,” where Self-Employee-Cheryl rebels against the work schedule that Boss-Cheryl has set for her, while also complaining of interference in her personal life.
Productivity Consultant:
As usual, both of you bear some blame for this conflict between work schedules and personal life. I’ll address my first comments to you, Boss, because it seems you have some unrealistic expectations.
1. First, purge your to-do list.
You add things to Cheryl’s duties that just pop into your head. Sometimes they’re not necessary or even helpful. But you know that once it’s on that list, it nags and nags at her.
Worse, you make her use an Outlook reminder that pops up and reminds her of what she hasn’t done. Just “as the LORD gives and the LORD takes away” – since you put it on that list, you can take it off!
2. Count the cost before agreeing to a project.
Remember your friend Kelly? As I remember, she had an impressive “house rule.” Because of limited storage in her house, she persuaded her family to think twice about every purchase. With every book, pair of jeans or piece of furniture that came into the house, an older one needed to leave.
In the same way, Cheryl’s time is limited. When you make an eight-hour commitment for her, what activity will you remove from her life? Sleep? Play? Exercise? Time with her friends and family?
Count the cost before you make promises she must keep. It will give you a more productive employee. (By the way, it wouldn’t hurt you to try that “tossing out” thing.)
3. Be aware of energy constraints.
Cheryl doesn’t have unlimited time. At her age (!), she doesn’t have unlimited energy, either. Give her only the responsibilities that are worthy of her energy.
Your friend Mitzi touched on this when she commented on the Life Is Full of Choices post. “If I expend the energy to do something, I want it to have, at least somewhat, lasting value (which is why I don’t do housework.) My time and energy are limited and I would like it to have made at least a little bit of difference when I have no more.”
Productivity Consultant:
That should give you something to work on this week. I’ll be back on Friday to see how it’s going.
Don’t think I’ve let you off the hook, Cheryl-Employee. Between now and Friday, you need to work on your attitude. Maybe then you’ll be ready to hear what else I have to say.