"In knowledge work, the task is not given, it has to be determined"
you start asking questions such as:
What are the expected results from this work? - yields productivity
And it is a question that demands risky decisions. There is no right or wrong but choices instead. and results have to be clearly specified if productivity is to be achieved.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Managing Action
Things rarely get stuck because of lack of time. They get stuck because the doing of them has not been defined.
The real problem for so many projects and commitments is a lack of clarity and definition about what the project is , and the associated next-steps.
Clarifying things on the front end, when they first appear on the radar, rather than on backend, or hindsight after trouble has developed, allows people to reap the benefits of managing action.
The real problem for so many projects and commitments is a lack of clarity and definition about what the project is , and the associated next-steps.
Clarifying things on the front end, when they first appear on the radar, rather than on backend, or hindsight after trouble has developed, allows people to reap the benefits of managing action.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Navy Seal Requirements
TO be even considered in the Navy Seal, the initial physical screening test includes the following procedure:
1.swim 500 yards in 12.5 minutes or less, followed by a 10-minute rest
2.do 42 push-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest
3.do 50 sit-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest
4.do six pull-ups, followed by a 10-minute rest
5.run 1.5 miles in boots and long pants in less than 11.5 minutes
- takenfrom HowStuffWorks.com
One thing which i caught of interest is a 50m underwater swim. Today was the first time i managed a 25m underwater swim, so i'm excited how far i can push or hit that elusive mark.
one interesting post on how some guys are struggling to get past this test on the navy seal forum is this requirement, and how the hypoxic training from some dude named stew smith can help. its basically training and pushing beyong with a lack of oxygen in the blood :)
keep reading
1.swim 500 yards in 12.5 minutes or less, followed by a 10-minute rest
2.do 42 push-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest
3.do 50 sit-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest
4.do six pull-ups, followed by a 10-minute rest
5.run 1.5 miles in boots and long pants in less than 11.5 minutes
- takenfrom HowStuffWorks.com
One thing which i caught of interest is a 50m underwater swim. Today was the first time i managed a 25m underwater swim, so i'm excited how far i can push or hit that elusive mark.
one interesting post on how some guys are struggling to get past this test on the navy seal forum is this requirement, and how the hypoxic training from some dude named stew smith can help. its basically training and pushing beyong with a lack of oxygen in the blood :)
keep reading
Saturday, April 17, 2010
How to make it all work.
As David Allen said, "To lead an effective life we need to be able to make things happen" - to engage with our world so it will supply us with the experiences and results we seek.
Making the right choices and ensuring their efficient execution have always been key elements of success.
With that comes the plethora of workshops, courses, seminars to give you the tools to succeed.
Experience has shown there is still a wide gap between understanding and implementation.
Approaching work is a game, and one that's fun to play, as long as we know the purpose(what we're employed for), the boundaries(show-stopper decisions and no-no like harassment, discriminations), the contents(things we need to know to be successful in our jobs) and the rules(deadlines).
When any of those parameters are unclear, we develop unnecessary stress and are ineffective. On the other hand, if a bulletproof trusted process is in place which you can apply anytime no matter what's going on, we get a heightened sense of spontaneity in the job and more confidence everything is in order.
The game of work, and business life are really the same thing when it comes down to principles, behaviours and techniqus that eliminate distraction and foster beneficial focus.
Making the right choices and ensuring their efficient execution have always been key elements of success.
With that comes the plethora of workshops, courses, seminars to give you the tools to succeed.
Experience has shown there is still a wide gap between understanding and implementation.
Approaching work is a game, and one that's fun to play, as long as we know the purpose(what we're employed for), the boundaries(show-stopper decisions and no-no like harassment, discriminations), the contents(things we need to know to be successful in our jobs) and the rules(deadlines).
When any of those parameters are unclear, we develop unnecessary stress and are ineffective. On the other hand, if a bulletproof trusted process is in place which you can apply anytime no matter what's going on, we get a heightened sense of spontaneity in the job and more confidence everything is in order.
The game of work, and business life are really the same thing when it comes down to principles, behaviours and techniqus that eliminate distraction and foster beneficial focus.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Youth is the fountain of life
Carpe diem.
listening to Kelly Clarkson's 'Life would suck without you'
listening to Kelly Clarkson's 'Life would suck without you'
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Time management 101
The dilemma of moving into management with added responsibility of a coach and engineer. This us just too much to handle. Too muh to do.
Where do I start??
1) Determine what my role is, and break up my responsibilities into key goals. Prioritise accordingly and seek clarification with manager if necessary of what the expectations are
- Manage up (be seen to have a good handle of my given deliverables, day-to-day events (bug scrubs) and managing timely day-to-day information flow from the team up)
2) Assess how well I'm managing time
- Track how long each item takes so i can plan more accurately next time (also helps in shaping the role with manager or decide if its better to delegate)
- More disciplined in sharing my time
3) Organize the to-do's into 3 piles:
- Must do
- Can wait
- Easy to knock off
Start with the must-do to build confidence. Work on the Easy to knock off pile once work is in a less overwhelming size, FInally when some blocks of time frees up, deal with the Can-waits.
Don't avoid a Must-do with an easy task as this is very detrimental. Start chewing off bits of it and it'd unravel itself if we keep working bits of it than making excuses time and again.
Where do I start??
1) Determine what my role is, and break up my responsibilities into key goals. Prioritise accordingly and seek clarification with manager if necessary of what the expectations are
- Manage up (be seen to have a good handle of my given deliverables, day-to-day events (bug scrubs) and managing timely day-to-day information flow from the team up)
2) Assess how well I'm managing time
- Track how long each item takes so i can plan more accurately next time (also helps in shaping the role with manager or decide if its better to delegate)
- More disciplined in sharing my time
3) Organize the to-do's into 3 piles:
- Must do
- Can wait
- Easy to knock off
Start with the must-do to build confidence. Work on the Easy to knock off pile once work is in a less overwhelming size, FInally when some blocks of time frees up, deal with the Can-waits.
Don't avoid a Must-do with an easy task as this is very detrimental. Start chewing off bits of it and it'd unravel itself if we keep working bits of it than making excuses time and again.
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