tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87620575014697891972023-06-20T13:24:19.174+01:00The Time BanditsThe Time Bandits - Time Management Anti-HeroesDebbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-68879455278593056852012-03-26T08:03:00.002+01:002012-03-26T08:05:00.094+01:00Mess-ieur<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This little bandit likes it messy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their gear is stored all over the place; I say “stored” but for Mess-ieur what’s the point of putting things away if they’re going to be needed soon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being too tidy, well surely that’s bad for creativity; the chaotic approach suits Mess-sieur much better, never mind that they can never find anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the gang have lost count of the times they’ve been late because Mess-ieur can’t find something vital for the raid.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">OK, a pristine environment’s not for everyone and many people agree that having some of your favourite things around you can help your mood and be inspiring, but they’re hardly inspiring if they’re buried under a pile of papers, dirty plates, clothes – worn and unworn and files.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Even simple tasks take time; the piles have to be waded through to find what’s required.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mess-ieur may thrive on chaos but it’s having a negative impact on relationships with the other bandits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never give Mess-ieur any responsibility for organising anything; the lost tickets, forgotten birthdays, missed appointments over the years have eroded any trust that might have existed in their early days.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Come on, Mess-ieur, it’s time to get a little bit organised; tidy a few things away, create a system for recording the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>important details and start to build up that trust again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If loss of creativity is a concern, find creative ways to keep the mess at bay.</span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-47774700119023553332012-03-08T12:12:00.003+00:002012-03-08T12:13:31.343+00:00Ruth Less<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ruth Less is fighting her way to the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has designs on the gang leader’s job and is determined to get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fiercely ambitious she often gets into arguments with Firebelly (Jan 2012), that other ambitious and competitive gang member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whilst Firebelly is ambitious for the increasing success of the gang, Ruth Less’ mind is focused purely on her own success.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She sees the other gang members as her competition (although she doesn’t rate them that highly) and can’t see the point of collaboration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s really not a team player and will work hard to ensure her own ideas and efforts come to the attention of the boss, at any cost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you can imagine this makes her pretty unpopular with the other gang members but her view is that she’s not in the gang to make friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hm, friends are one thing, enemies quite another!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, if the boss is watching, Ruth Less can give a good impression of being a team player although of course she’ll make sure that her light is shining the brightest.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What she seems to fail to realise is that, should she ever step into the top spot, she’ll need the loyalty and support of those very bandits she’s currently trampling on!</span>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-77737111252554867092012-01-28T18:21:00.002+00:002012-01-28T18:24:35.419+00:00FirebellyF<span style="font-family: Calibri;">irebelly strongly believes that the gang could accomplish bigger and better things and doesn’t hesitate to share this opinion with the other bandits, much to the concern of Slowcoach (November 2011) and Manana Man (August 2011), as you can imagine!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Favourite topic of conversation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next big raid; how can they capture a more valuable haul, take over new territory, smash the enemy?</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Firebelly is driven and competitive – always reaching for something more, never satisfied or comfortable with the here and now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life needs pushing along, drifting’s for life’s flotsam and jetsam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Firebelly certainly pushes – hard and aggressively!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no quarter given to the members of the gang who believe in taking smaller steps and making gradual changes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Firebelly <span style="font-family: inherit;">welcomes</span> risk with open arms – let’s just dive in, take the plunge and deal with the consequences if and when.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sleepless nights imagining the worst case scenarios trouble this Time Bandit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes this approach brings rewards to the gang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sometimes things go horribly wrong and the bandits spend a considerable amount of time and energy picking up the pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ambition and focus are fine qualities to have but without proper planning and a risk filter they can lead to dangerous waters.</span>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-82988417845833590352011-11-07T17:16:00.001+00:002011-11-07T17:17:30.099+00:00Slowcoach<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Slowcoach, like the tortoise in Aesop’s Fables, is a creature who likes to take plenty of time to consider the route, consider the options and time to make a choice.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Slowcoach is frustrated by those who seem to rush in, guns blazing; shooting first, asking questions later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can they not see, that way madness lies? It’s been the cause of many a casualty and might well account for the bandit gang’s very poor health & safety record in recent years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little more care and consideration could improve their statistics hugely.</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For Slowcoach, method and process make much more sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weighing up the pros and cons and considering cause and effect means that many issues and problems can be completely avoided or at least, prepared for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preparation: a common word in the vocabulary of Slowcoach, who likes to plan to the nth degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stems from a significant aversion to risk taking and leads to endless checking that all avenues have been explored before a decision can be made. </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">W</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ell, process this, Slowcoach: endless analysis and foot dragging is causing frustration, impatience and extreme intolerance amongst the rest of the gang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to steel yourself to take the occasional (calculated) risk, jump in head first, leap before you look and develop the art of speeding up your decision making.</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the words of Carl Jung:</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Caution has its place, no doubt, but we cannot refuse our support to a serious venture which challenges the whole of the personality. If we oppose it, we are trying to suppress what is best in man --his daring and his aspirations. And should we succeed, we should only have stood in the way of that invaluable experience which might have given a meaning to life. What would have happened if Paul had allowed himself to be talked out of his journey to Damascus?”</span>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-79887789292918916562011-10-12T13:59:00.002+01:002011-10-12T14:03:03.914+01:00Touchy<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blimey, another bodged bandit attack! The last raid didn’t go too well either, but the post-raid debrief should have sorted it out and helped everyone to see what went wrong and the part they played in the debacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, everyone’s shaking their heads in disbelief because Touchy made the same mistake again.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What they’ve failed to take into account (and we know by now that they’re not the most effective bunch) is that learning from mistakes is not Touchy’s strongpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deliver some feedback to Touchy and no matter how constructive, how carefully thought out, you can guarantee that Touchy will take it personally and dwell at length upon the negatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even during a team debrief, where no one single person is to blame, Touchy will take it as a personal criticism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Touchy this is rejection; hurt and embarrassed, Touchy wants to move on quickly and forget it ever happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Analyse what went wrong and how things could be improved next time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No thank you – too painful!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If the gang want Touchy to be more effective and productive, they might need to change their approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Empathy, reassurance and 2 way conversations are the building blocks to develop Touchy’s confidence to learn from mistakes, look over the parapet and put forward ideas to be judged by others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will take time but Touchy’s loyalty and support for others are well worth the time, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>energy and effort.</span>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-49908808745704770812011-09-12T14:31:00.000+01:002011-09-12T14:31:49.039+01:00The Doomsayer<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let’s face it – we all know someone like the Doomsayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Favourite sayings “What’s the point” “It’ll never work” “There’s never enough time to do it all”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Doomsayer (a born pessimist at heart) will always see the roadblock in a plan and is happy to call it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Now, that can be a useful skill to have in a team: someone who can critically analyse a plan and use that analysis to guide the choices and decisions being made, but, quite frankly, the Time Bandits are finding it’s wearing a bit thin!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Doomsayer can’t even imagine a better future and has put the ki-bosh on so many plans and ideas suggested by the other bandits that they have stopped asking for his opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re being held back and it hurts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The gang recognises that they need to move onward, forward and upward – it begins with a state of mind and The Doomsayer’s mind is just in the wrong state!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, there’ll be some difficulties but they’ll always remain difficulties unless we have a go.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This attitude of doom and gloom means that tasks never get prioritised properly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Doomsayer “knows” there’s too much to accomplish so doesn’t devise a plan or a structure but simply starts at the top of the pile and works downwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that trivial tasks get done but often key tasks get missed – they’re just too far down the pile and The Doomsayer has run out of energy long before getting to them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Instead of simply dismissing ideas and options The Doomsayer could practice coming up with practical alternatives in addition to raising concerns. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This way the gang will be able to see that The Doomsayer can make a valuable contribution and is more likely to listen to concerns in the future. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Doomsayer doesn’t set out to be difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They might just be very analytical or out of their depth and the negative outbursts may just be a cover for a lack of know-how on banditry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A crash course or someone with the patience to explain things might pay dividends and The Doomsayer will once more become a valuable member of the gang.</span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-62914352100012673132011-08-12T11:55:00.006+01:002011-08-12T12:00:40.146+01:00Mañana Man<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mañana Man has a very relaxed approach to getting work done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often to be found feet up in a hammock, maybe working on some trivial and low priority tasks, he “knows” he has plenty of time to get things done and really hasn’t got enough fire in his belly to get on with some of the key stuff until the deadline is looming closer. Looming deadlines stoke the fire and create a rush of activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No worries – it’ll get done, often with seconds to spare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other members of the gang worry as it seems that no progress is being made!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mañana Man has had a few sticky moments – sometimes deadlines for bandit activity get brought forward – then he knows what worry feels like!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only he’d taken some activity on the task – even if it was a rough plan or a record of key thoughts – maybe the shifting deadline wouldn’t cause quite such a gut-wrenching feeling and fellow bandits, including the chief, would feel more confident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it’s about perception – just a bit of activity can reassure others that progress is being made and the deadline will be met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another tactic Mañana Man could try is to set self imposed deadlines or milestones, maybe breaking the task into chunks that can be tackled with short, sharp bursts of activity – the energy to carry them out created by the frequent or regular deadlines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-19547959002886566832011-05-23T09:33:00.000+01:002011-05-23T09:33:13.514+01:00The Mentalist<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Mentalist seems to have an avid dislike of pen and paper!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a firm belief that “keeping it all up here” is a much better approach to planning and staying organised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a perception that writing things down can be too restrictive and might block any creative flow that might be going on.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Mentalist’s fellow bandits find this an “interesting” approach and are careful what tasks and responsibilities they pass on; it’s almost impossible to keep track of the progress being made, especially if the Mentalist isn’t around that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the Mentalist likes to feel indispensible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s certainly an approach to time management that makes it difficult for anyone else to notice when help might be required or to dovetail their own work with that of our “head case” bandit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s an approach that’s served the Mentalist well for quite a while but lately, as activity for the gang has picked up, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it hasn’t being going so well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Important rendezvous have been forgotten, key tasks have slipped and people are starting to get annoyed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mentalist’s brain is cluttered; there’s just too much going on to keep track of.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Writing things down doesn’t have to be viewed as a sign of weakness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing things down doesn’t have to constrain your creativity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many ways to track activity and they don’t have to be onerous or boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve recently written an article on 6 great uses for the post it note – a handy little tool that might be a great help to the Mentalist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me know if you’d like a copy.</span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-88504114678027812792011-04-12T20:25:00.002+01:002011-04-12T20:25:57.989+01:00The Raider<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our Time Bandit, The Raider does do some planning and even remembers to set aside chunks of time to focus on the important things – fantastic!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems as though The Raider’s been reading the blog and learning from the mistakes of fellow bandits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last, someone with their house in order?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s not hand out the Time Management awards too soon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Raider is often an ambitious and optimistic sort, who expects to achieve more in a week than is realistic. Guilty of trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot, estimating how long a task is going to take is a skill not yet mastered by The Raider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This optimism, or lack of skill, (depending on your outlook) means that often the ‘little’ jobs take far longer than anticipated and key activities suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way to get the ‘little’ jobs done is to raid the time allocated to those important projects and tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those important projects and tasks also suffer as soon as a crisis rears its ugly head: The Raider never builds in contingency time and so, yet again, has to steal time to get urgent bits and bobs done and is always playing ‘catch up.’</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Raider often struggles to prioritise and seems to take some tips from the Butterfly, working on the tasks that are the most appealing first, rather than fitting them in around the ‘big’ stuff.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe The Raider would benefit from keeping a time log for a few weeks to help gauge how long things really take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t come easy; The Raider will probably be reluctant or even resistant, at first, unwilling to face the facts, but used well, these logs can make a big difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When calculating the time available – allowance should be made for non-productive time: coffee and lunch breaks, loo breaks, the odd diversion (we all get them), the nuisance but necessary tasks like filling the photocopier or printer with paper, finding the right file, dealing with interruptions from the boss, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once this lot is filtered out, the remaining time is the actual production time available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, combined with the analysis of the time logs, will give a much clearer idea of what can realistically be achieved in a day, a week or a month.</span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-60164925201786012972011-03-14T17:40:00.008+00:002011-03-14T18:10:27.562+00:00S O Particular<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conditions often have to be right with all the pieces in place, all the research done, and the end to end process thoroughly planned before S O Particular will make a start and take any action!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Painstaking, pedantic and picky S O Particular makes slow progress with tasks, dotting every “i” and crossing every “t”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The content of the plan for banditry may be completed but the plan isn’t ready to hand in yet; S O Particular is still busy with layout, formatting and finding a nice picture for the front cover. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely missing a deadline is preferable to handing in something that’s not 100% perfect or completed to an incredibly high standard?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If only this bandit could learn the phrase “good enough” and take into account the needs of fellow bandits in the gang, they might find that suddenly they have a lot more time to focus on their most important priorities and still get finished on time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Upholding high standards is a noble quest indeed, but it does mean that S O Particular takes on far too much; who else would give the time, care and attention the task deserves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other people can end up feeling left out, undervalued and under-developed as very little ever gets delegated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admittedly, it takes time to build up trust, but if S O Particular doesn’t make a start, stress, exhaustion and burnout could be lying in wait just around the corner.</span></div></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-55257507522344264672011-02-14T12:40:00.001+00:002011-02-14T12:41:41.731+00:00The Magpie<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Magpie has a time management strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last, a bandit who thinks about such things!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Look in the Magpie’s ‘nest’ and you’ll find all manner of shiny objects – the latest smartphone, a netbook, a mini voice recorder, several beautiful Filofaxes and conference organisers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All swooped upon as the ‘next big thing’ for helping the Magpie to be more efficient and organised.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately the Magpie hasn’t realised that a planner or a gadget is merely a tool, an aid to organisation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With no real strategy in place these tools are often found to be a ‘waste of time’ and are either abandoned in favour of the next ‘next big thing’ or used with a scattergun approach; calendar held on several devices but rarely kept up to date on any of them!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Used regularly, consistently and with a defined purpose they can make a difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the Magpie could try eliminating the ‘shiny things’ one at a time being sure to notice what, if anything, they miss about them. Or, if a Magpie of the species <em>Acquirus Abandonus</em>, try reintroducing the tools one at a time and notice if they make a difference.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They’re unlikely to make a huge difference to time management, unfortunately it goes a tad deeper than that but the feeling of being organised and on top of things can lead to a burst of energy which harnessed correctly can increase productivity.</span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-61174769645023902022011-01-14T16:15:00.001+00:002011-01-14T16:16:48.086+00:00The Control Freak<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This little bandit often has very high standards coupled with a need for speed. Do they trust other people to complete tasks on time and to their satisfaction?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reader, you be the judge! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nobody does it better (to quote Carly Simon) and so they find it difficult to let things go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This “My Way or No Way” approach often means The Control Freak is still hanging on to part of their old job even though they were promoted a year ago.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The world of a Control Freak can sometimes be a lonely place, as they forge ahead alone, carrying the full burden of the project, from idea generation right through to implementation and evaluation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Workplace relationships can be difficult, </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">which probably doesn’t worry this bandit, who believes that the workplace is just that: a place for and of work and not somewhere for forming bonds or friendships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To a certain extent, I agree, but there’s nothing wrong with a little human companionship and, dare I say it, some fun along the way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I admire people with high standards, but those standards are tricky to maintain when the pressure is piling on. There comes a point when even the Control Freak will need some help; it’s impossible to take on every little task and hold on to every responsibility with each move up the ladder, so other people suddenly become important, but with few relationships it’s hard to know who to trust and fellow bandits haven’t necessarily been receiving the experience or development they need to be able to help out effectively.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s hope the Control Freak reads this and realises it might be worth starting to involve others now before they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> to rely on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting by delegating simple or small tasks will help to develop confidence in both parties and over time a relationship built on solid foundations of trust and respect will form.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Succession planning?</span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There’s nothing wrong with having high standards and if the Control Freak could only let go sometimes and delegate some tasks then it would give other people the opportunity to develop their skills.</span>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-9734035499666424002011-01-04T12:53:00.006+00:002011-01-23T19:28:32.833+00:00The Genial Host<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Need help or advice? Go to the Genial Host.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always happy to help, often to be found chatting with Harmony Seeker, the Genial Host welcomes distractions; they brighten up a boring day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They love meetings, workshops, training days, anything that takes them away from the pile of work on the desk for a few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often to be heard saying “let’s do lunch” or “let’s meet for a coffee and discuss it” and suddenly a 5 minute discussion turns into a 30 minute chat over coffee (plus the time it takes to get there and back).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meetings tend not to have agendas – that’s all a bit stuffy and formal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, meetings are a great way for people to catch up with each other, aren’t they?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a Genial Host in your gang, they can be very distracting; you might need to bring out the big guns of assertiveness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they come into your office, stand up, fail to offer them a coffee and be careful not to build too much rapport during the conversation and the chances are, they’ll soon tire of you and leave you to get on with your day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Social interaction <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> important – teamwork can make a big difference in achieving the task, but the Genial Host takes it to extremes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you feel that you’re required to attend too many meetings, perhaps you’re dealing with a Genial Host.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you </i>might be the Genial Host in your gang then maybe it’s worth noticing the body language of those around you – is your attention really welcome?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as for your own workload, how are you doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Struggling with a full inbox (physical or electronic)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tot up how much time you spend away from your desk and work on gradually reducing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set time limits and draw up agendas for meetings that you call and stick to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allocate certain times during the day for more social interaction and stick to them. Set specific tasks to achieve each day and, yes, you’ve guessed it, stick to them!</span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-8440981917131879522010-12-06T18:46:00.002+00:002010-12-06T18:49:59.890+00:00The Butterfly<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Butterfly has a short attention span, fluttering from one task to the next, alighting on a leaf for a moment before spotting something brighter and more colourful and flying off to investigate.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Projects are initiated with energy and enthusiasm and a sudden flurry of activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s common for the Butterfly to have several projects on the go at once; it suits their need for variety and appeals to their short attention span.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tasks often drift without much significant progress being made and the Butterfly finds that much of their energy is used up by starting and re-starting projects – having to review what stage they’ve got to each time they pick up a project to spend some time on it.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There are a few tips we could offer the Butterfly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One might be to practise concentration, building up the length of time focussed on one task over a period of time.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Start with some self-study to work out the existing attention span.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some people find it difficult to focus for just 10 minutes. Others delude themselves they can focus for 2 hours but in reality find themselves experiencing the pull of the outside world every 30 minutes, feeling jumpy and fidgety and needing to check emails or make a phone call. </span></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once the threshold is established, begin to build it up, little by little, until you can focus for a full hour. </span></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the meantime, break tasks into chunks that you can realistically achieve in the 10, 20 or 30 minutes that you can concentrate. That way you</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;">‟</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ll experience the joy of completion, that sense of actually getting something done.</span></span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-43154936281712254422010-11-22T14:48:00.000+00:002010-11-22T14:48:08.797+00:00Harmony Seeker<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kindest of the bandit gang, Harmony Seeker</span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> wants to please other people and always puts their needs first. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great person to have in the gang; smoothing over any conflict, always happy to help out, Harmony sounds everybody out before any big decisions are made.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sounds great, doesn’t it, the ideal person to have around, but this bandit puts themselves under tremendous pressure and at some point is likely to go off like a shaken bottle of pop.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harmony tends to shy away from conflict and confrontation and unless really riled will avoid any behaviour that might result in friction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than rock the boat, Harmony will accept unreasonable deadlines instead of simply saying “no” or asking for more time and this can often disadvantage (and irritate) other members of the gang.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fellow Time Bandits often take advantage of Harmony’s kind nature and sympathetic ear, unburdening themselves both of worries or problems and often of workload!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Harmony often falls behind and finds it hard to prioritise; after all, prioritising means putting one person’s needs above another’s.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The need to involve people and solicit opinions means that decisions go unmade for quite some time, to the frustration of the bandit chief and those bandits of a different disposition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harmony might find that certain responsibilities are taken away and given to someone who can make snappier decisions and isn’t so “soft”!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what words of wisdom can we offer to Harmony Seeker?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s important that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">someone</b> cares about the needs of others and a character like Harmony can add balance in today’s somewhat ruthless and cutthroat world but maybe we could encourage a little selfishness now and then and also challenge Harmony to take a risk by making a decision without consulting everyone first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choose those occasions wisely and be surprised by how few and how little people are upset!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just be careful if the decision affects other people pleasers too.</span></div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-44094249965642767592010-11-05T15:09:00.002+00:002010-11-05T15:20:17.890+00:00The Dandy<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Dandy is incredibly image conscious; it’s all about appearances for this one, needing to be seen to be busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On parade early in the mornings and staying late; only leaving after the Bandit Chief has gone home.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their desk is covered in papers, their intray overflows and they walk around carrying lots of important looking files.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Work expands to fill the time available so they don’t actually get any more done than anyone else.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, if they spent less time “dressing to impress” and focussed a bit more on the task in hand not only would they have more time to do the things they enjoy outside of work but they’d also impress the boss with how productive they can be.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People often complain to me that this is “just the culture here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And sometimes they’re right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But cultures can evolve and change has to start somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the Dandy should bring it up with the boss and encourage colleagues to leave on time occasionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behaviours often shape company culture so even a small change in behaviour can have an impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Setting yourself target to leave on time one night a week, every week can work well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you come in the next day talking about what a great night you had last night, it becomes contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People soon discover that the world doesn’t fall apart when they leave on time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And if it does, if people are <u>genuinely</u> so busy that they have to stay late to get the work done, then developing some effective time management strategies will help.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My November 2010 newsletter tackles those perfectionist tendencies that often cause people to feel the need to work late, every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you think it will help you then follow the link on the right and sign up.</span>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762057501469789197.post-44575271924310285412010-10-28T21:13:00.001+01:002010-10-29T13:34:54.103+01:00The Action Junkie<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ramp up the pressure, this one likes it busy; in fact, the busier the better. Wham - they like an action packed day – it goes by much faster that way. Go, go go! It’s all about output; how many things can they manage to cross off their to-do list (if they've even prepared one in the first place) and will they beat their own record?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This need for speed often has a negative impact on the quality of the work being produced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Action Junkie tends not to have an eye for detail and dives in to a task without exploring options or considering consequences. Having to re-work things is a common occurrence and so is the feeling of despair that colleagues have when they have to pick up the pieces or fill in the gaps.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incredibly driven, they could achieve so much more, ironically by slowing down to think things through. A slightly slower pace would enable a little more focus on the detail and the chances are that others would be inspired to match their work-rate.</span><br />
</div>Debbie Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06545780591619183031noreply@blogger.com0