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Assumptive multi-changes slide into a
lazy future
I was recently accused of ‘assumptive laziness’.
Assumptive laziness? It did not sound
like a compliment.
I became defensive. Then I remembered
who said it – a CEO on sabbatical, smart
enough to know when to step away to
recharge and to refocus. And so I bit my
tongue, refocused and realized she could
be right.
The word ‘assumptive’ means taken for
granted or arrogant. Yes, laziness can
be of the arrogant, ‘take results for
granted’ type.
Then it dawned on me that assumptive
laziness leads to consumptive results.
In other words, it can lead to a
situation where your sub-optimum
performance will consume your wealth,
health and peace of mind.
If you don’t want below-par results to
consume your legitimate lazy time, then
stop assuming that things will work out.
Earn the right to be lazy tomorrow by
putting in focused effort today.
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Single-minded multi-tasking
Don’t even think that multi-tasking can help you
catch up after some lazy time. Surely
you’ve heard about Jack Alltrades who
became the master of none? You have?
Then why are you still so keen on
multi-tasking?
Multi-tasking does not work. Mmmaybe it
does, at least according to my wife.
What I mean is that multi-tasking does
not work very well. No, that’s still not
right. Hang on, let me stop watching the
news and focus on what I’m typing.
Multi-tasking works well enough if the
outcomes of the different tasks that you
are doing at once don’t matter much.
However, if the different outcomes do
matter, then you should give each task
the single-minded focus it deserves.
Single-mindedness can deliver two
bonuses. Not only are you likely to get
each task done quicker, you tend to
produce better quality outcomes as well.
On the other hand, if positive outcomes
don’t matter to you, then by all means
text and drive at the same time.
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Constantly changing course to get there
If outcomes do matter, then you should change
course constantly. Did you know that the
only way your airline pilot gets you to
your planned destination is by
constantly changing course?
Blame it on the shape of the planet, the
force of gravity, high-altitude winds,
space potholes or air bubbles. The fact
remains that your jetliner continuously,
if not stubbornly, flies off course. The
only way the pilot can get it to its
right destination is to make constant
little adjustments to pull it back on
track.
If an experienced pilot only gets where
he needs getting through constant
correction, why then do so many CEOs
hesitate to make adjustments when their
organization is so obviously off target?
Let me guess – because the target is not
obvious to begin with. You see, if your
destination is not clear nor critical,
then you don’t need to worry about
constant corrections to get there. |
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Slide into a different future
Here’s one reason why your destination is not
clear. You have no time to work smart.
Today success is not determined by how
smart you work in your job, but by how
hard you work at keeping your job.
Are you also fed up with the endless,
mindless work that employers expect you
to thank them for? Then consider what
many are now seeing as the ultimate
smart move: Grab two beers as you slide
into a different (lazy?) future.
Want to see me multi-slide?
Click here to buy me muli-beers
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Welcome to our side of the nonsense
divide
Attraversiamo
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