It has been quite some time since i wrote my last post. I wont say that i was too busy. I will rather say that i didn’t manage my time well. So, my lovely blog took a backseat among the improperly managed and apparently urgent activities of life. Only a month back, i attended a leadership training where half a day was focused on time management. During the training, i thought that these techniques would change my life. But, I was soon wrong. I didn’t see much improvement in my daily productivity.
The fault is not with the trainer. It is with me. Trying to do effective time management using different techniques was secondary. I later realized, i have to change something more fundamental before attempting any secondary change.
My belief that my efficiency was limited by time, and i cant do much about it.
Immediate use of time management techniques provided only a cosmetic make-up. The true belief showed up very soon. Putting the to-do list in different techniques didn’t help because, i lacked commitment, energy and love towards my list.
When these three forces dominate, the vehicle of life moves at a decent speed. It doesn’t really matter whether i use one wheel at the front and three at the back or two wheels at both the ends, when my primary aim is to get the vehicle moving. The techniques taught at the training can only help me accelerate faster through design improvements. But, the fact still remains.
Without the driving force, nothing moves.
I realized that it is very important to check the primary requirements, before i focus my energies on secondary improvements. Without understanding why and how of my activities, and what is really important to me, planning and prioritization are meaningless.
I could draw an analogy between my personal experience and the “Personality Ethic – Character Ethic” concept illustrated in “The seven habits of highly effective people” by Stephen R Covey. I strongly recommend this book. It is taking me on a realization ride.
All the trainings try to change my personality ethic which attributes only to my secondary greatness. In tough situations, my original character ethic will surface. When it happens, i am are no longer a consistent performer. The key is to change my character and believe that the change is indispensible. Yes !
There are no Short-cuts.
Personality Ethic will only help me after i achieve Primary Greatness. To reach there, i have to work on my character and my beliefs. In any journey, slight diversions are okay. But, i cant afford to start in the wrong direction !
With this realization, i am trying to better my self.
I would like to end this post with a short video talk on “Belief and Behavior” by Devdutt Pattanaik, who is a thought provoking and inspirational author. He talks about his new role as Chief Belief Officer @ Future Group.
Friends, don’t forget to do introspection! Its important. Else, you will end up moving continuously in the maze of life, reaching no where.
