How do you understand YOUR time? There are many different ways to understand and measure time. The time it takes you to:
- Soak in and understand a concept
- View and break down internal blocks
- Complete a task
I am a very slow turtle when it comes to viewing and breaking down internal blocks. I get the concept quickly, but it takes some time to work its way into my being and create the cracks that will eventually break down the blocks I’ve created. Once I’ve got “it”, tasks take no time at all…I just get it done.
Generally, when you understand a concept and have no preconceived notions (internal blocks), the time it takes to complete a task is minimal. It takes however long it takes.
When you DON’T understand a concept and/or have some notion that it must be hard or complicated, the time it takes expands exponentially because we spend all the time thinking or fretting over the concept or difficulty of the task.
Once you have determined your Future State and assessed your Present State you can begin evaluating your timing. Will you need to allow some time to:
- Soak in a concept
- Navigate internal blocks
- Get the job done
Soaking in a concept
Allowing ourselves the time to learn is a huge gift we can give ourselves (and others).
By scheduling the time to learn you save yourself from the mental anguish of thinking you “should know it all already.”
When you understand and accept the amount of time it takes for you to really “get” something you can be kind, gracious, and compassionate with yourself when you are in the middle of it.
Navigating internal blocks – taking up your time
We all have internal blocks of some sort. They come about as we grow and learn.
- This thing is safe, that is not.
- Do this and negative things will happen.
- Say that and the hammer will come down.
They are the safety measures we put in place to ensure we are successful in our environment.
The thing is, as we grow our environment changes and what worked as a safety measure early in life or the life of your business may limit you and your business due to the limited size of the environment when it was implemented.
Once a security measure is in place, it’s hard to shift it to meet the new needs. People and businesses get stuck in “that’s the way we have always done it” and can have a hard time making significant changes without a lot of “discussion” (emotion, arguments, etc.).
By recognizing and allowing the time to go through the “discussion” process, you create the space to get the job done.
Your time to get the job done
Once you understand a concept and you have gone through the discussion phase, getting the job done becomes simple. It’s just a matter of determining how much time does the task actually takes.
- One hour to write a blog post
- Two days to set up a website
- One week to complete a video shoot
What does this have to do with Process Documentation?
While all this sounds like “personal development”, it is also very true when documenting your processes.
When you’re defining your process, you’re “soaking in the concept”. You’re explaining what the process is about, how it works, and what’s expected from it.
When you’re listing out the Activity Steps, you’re discovering the gaps and bottlenecks (internal blocks) that are holding efficiency at bay.
Once you’ve cleared all that up, things begin to just work. Everything starts to flow with ease. People know their jobs and can do it confidently.
This translates to your clients and customers. They begin to have seamless interactions with your growing team, giving them the confidence in you and your value and making them the raving fans you’d always wished for.
Time is precious and if you know how it works around you, you will make the most of it and magically create more of it.
Until next time, remember:
Keep your eyes on the horizon, your hands on the wheel, and your foot on the GAS!!
Let’s DO THIS!