At one time or another, most of us have experienced a loss of
momentum in achieving the goals we set. This particularly seems
to be true when we resolve to take better care of ourselves or
spend more time with family and friends. Work often seems to
relegate such goals to the back burner.
Ironically, I have observed that when my coaching clients set
clear parameters at work to enable them to achieve what they
perceive to be personal goals, there is a profoundly positive
impact on their focus, productivity and satisfaction at work.
One leader whom I coach (we’ll call her Kelly) has recently
achieved fantastic improvements in her clarity and effectiveness
at work. She started by simply making one small personal
commitment. Kelly decided that one day a week she would commit
to taking her daughter to an after-school activity that was very
important to her. She began to structure her work day in such a
way that she would be set-up for success in meeting this
commitment. Being someone who is highly responsible to others,
this led to keeping commitments to finish initiatives at work in
time to leave the office. She found herself working in a more
focused way. She was energized by knowing that she would be
meeting a commitment to her family, instead of wasting energy
worrying about whether she should stay at work or attend the
after-school activity. For one day each week, the decision had
already been made. This became the parameter and work simply had
to fit in to the time allotted for that one day a week.
Interestingly enough, the effect of this one small personal
commitment rapidly began to spread.
In no time, Kelly could see that in meeting this commitment to
her family and keeping this workday defined instead of
open-ended, she became more efficient. Her employer benefited,
not just her family. Her confidence strengthened as she began to
redefine herself as someone who makes and keeps commitments both
to herself and others, instead of as someone who is stretches
herself to meet everyone else’s requests and can end up letting
others down.
In our heads, we know that work always expands to fill the time
allotted. Yet, as a society, we are uncomfortable setting
limits. My clients have taught me that it is often not until we
set limits that we can become truly LIMITLESS in the impact that
we can have.
When their jobs can accommodate, many people I know have
achieved great productivity by blocking off certain times as “no
meeting hours”, or “email time” or “focused time for strategic
projects”. Some block off a few hours every week to work at home
or in another environment where there are no distractions or
interruptions. Others schedule in their fitness sessions and
personal commitments as if they were work appointments, to
ensure that they respect these commitments. They are setting
parameters.
Setting clear parameters at work may be uncomfortable at first,
but I encourage you to persevere. I am confident that parameters
will not restrict you; they will enable you to live consistently
with your values and will free up your energy to produce your
best work, while living your best life.
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