Buzzword Bingo: Efficiencies
It seems that lately, we’re being pushed and pulled more than ever to be as efficient as possible. “Do more with less” they say. I don’t know if we ever reach maximum efficiency, but personally, I do get better at it year after year. I try to keep a few things in mind to make sure I’m doing my part and allowing others to do theirs.
I do not intend for this to be high-and-mighty rhetoric about what I do right, because I don’t do all of these things well everyday (by any means), but I find it’s worth it to try.
Set Expectations
It’s alright to be honest. If you aren’t able to deliver what someone is asking of you, say so. Have a conversation about it and when possible, give alternatives and explain what you can do. That person may be disappointed in the short term, but in the long run, your relationship will be better for your honesty. And in turn, you’ll know what to focus on so you can deliver that thing really well. In my experience, people are happier knowing what to expect rather than watching a deadline come and go. Remember, everyone has someone else they answer to, and you can reset expectations down the line – IF you give them the time and information to do so.
Work Hard Live Hard
Not to say that I don’t multi-task but I like to do work things at work and home things at home. To quote George Costanza, "I don’t want my two worlds to collide." This is why I lug around two smartphones, and insist that my friends only email my personal Gmail account. That doesn’t mean I don’t think about work at home and vice versa, but I’ll write that thought down and come back to it when it can have my full attention. That also doesn’t mean I’m not available, but I don’t like to send emails just for the sake of looking busy. If you really need something from me on Saturday, call me. I don’t want someone waiting for an email response, thinking I am ignoring them when really, I’m just more interested in my glass of wine at that moment.
Take a Break
Setting small goals helps me be more productive. Don’t tell anyone, but I have learned enough about myself to know I tend to procrastinate if I don’t do this. A lot of days, my goal is just to take a lunch break. “If I can get this report out by noon, I can spend thirty minutes getting to know my coworkers over a brown bag lunch.” A side benefit is that relationship helps us work together better, and therefore more efficiently.
It’s OK to Say No
Do as much as you can, and know when to quit. I can’t be all things to all people and I am not doing anyone any favors by stretching myself too thin. Not only are you setting yourself up for stress and disappointment, you are probably going to underdeliver to that friend/organization/project, and that isn’t fair to them either. Focus on doing what you can very well.
Let People Do Their Job
I didn’t go to design school. I don’t know the going rate for a full page ad in Martha Stewart Living magazine. But I know a guy… and he’s really good at it. I try to give enough background for said “expert” to do their thing, and then I back off. That trust lets them do their best work; work that they can’t do with me breathing down their neck.
Set Yourself Up to Win
Just like at the gym, I warm up with the easy stuff when I first start my work day. Quick updates, checking email and writing my to-do list are easy things to do while still sipping the morning’s first cup of coffee. I like to come in on the early side (by agency standards, at least) before the phone starts to ring and I get the urge to ask what my co-workers did over the weekend. This way I can get 10 small distractions taken care of and concentrate on the bigger things that need to be accomplished during the day.
Stephanie Parker is a member of AAF-KC’s ad2 Council and returning Co-Chair for the 2011 Career Day event. She is a Brand Navigator at Blacktop. In her time away from work, you can find Stephanie cooking or playing rec sports.