Whatever you are working on, and whatever the meaning of good, cheap, and fast is in that context, it’s always important to remember that you can’t have them all at the same time.
Focus is key. And again, just like yesterday, the more people are involved in that project, the more important it is to give them clarity.
We need to reset the expectations when it comes to synchronous communication at work.
People feel the pressure to be on top of things, to answer messages, to be available, to participate, to socialise, to share, to comment, to leave a funny emoji. Unfortunately, none of that is productive, none of that delivers value to the customer, the shareholder, the community, and none of that is good for the long-term well-being of the individual employee.
We need to facilitate people to do work that matters, that they are proud of, that makes them feel accomplished. And as managers, we need to be able to keep in check our ego, our anxiety, our excitement, to accept that colleagues will get back to us when it makes sense to them.
It’s not only about turning notifications off, setting do-not-disturb time, removing apps when on holidays. It’s about changing the culture.
If you are on top, it’s for you to set the example.
If you live in the Western part of the World – or in most parts of Europe, at least – tomorrow is the day when life goes back to normal. After the presents and the food, after the hopes and the holidays, after forced conversations and much needed connections, most will go back to their office and move on with their regular life.
Be prepared, because sometimes it’s tough. Holidays – and particular Christmas holidays – tend to be dreamy, they bear a feeling of commitment and new, they open up possibilities that go beyond the 9-to-5.
So, be aware of this gap, and be ready to welcome back your routine and take with you whatever it is that has made the past holiday special. There is certainly a place for it between meetings, projects, and commuting.
When we feel pain, when we face a new crisis, when we are down and hopeless, everything becomes short term.
How will I wake up tomorrow? What will I do with this pain? How will I ever raise my head again? What is next for me?
Most of our thoughts deal with what is happening here and now. Either trying to push it away – how can I feel better? – or expanding it beyond its own boundaries – it will always be like this.
A different approach might be putting the moment in perspective. Looking at it and keeping it finite.
What am I feeling now? How likely is it that I will still feel the same next week, next month, next year? How many things will happen that will change how I feel? Was I feeling the same last week, last month, last year? Have I ever felt this way before? What did happen then?
Moments come and go, and it’s up to us for how long we want to hold onto them.
A great resolution for the new year, in case you are late and wonder how to jump on the bandwagon, is to give up on your phone.
Not completely, not immediately.
Start with one hour. Leave it off, in another room. Or even better, check your weekly usage report and start with those apps that you feel are wasting the most of your time. Get rid of them, hide them, lock them.
If you manage to do it consistently for a few days in a row, it will stick, I promise.
The reward is now.
You've got this 