For a brief stint, I worked as a middle school teacher. Teaching is a wonderful gift and I was
delighted to do so. I found that the
most time spent, however, was directed towards items and issues that were not germane
to the work I was asked to do. Over and
over again, forms had to be completed, state requirements proven and validated,
interviewing with academia, etc. Please
understand that I believe in compliance and in accountability…definitely. What I struggled with was the amount of time
it took and how much time it took away from the students.
In human resources, I have experienced and witnessed a
similar phenomenon. While the distractions
may differ, the results are the same. For
example, think about how much time you spend at your desk. Can’t do it?
How about for the next 7 days, you keep a log (seriously!) as to how
much time you are sitting at your desk.
Now, while sitting at your desk is not the enemy, per se, it may show
you how much less you’re actually amongst the people you serve.
And it isn’t just about paperwork either. I bet it would be amazing for you to log how
long you actually spend with a particular person or two each week. Perhaps it’s all good stuff, but likely, you
may have your time taxed by someone that should not have as much time as he/she
has been allowed to have. Think about
that employee who “just needs 5 minutes” each day. We know that 5 becomes 20 in seconds. If it’s every day, what could you do with an
extra hour and 40 minutes each week?
There are still those time-suckers who want to review
something again, complain about something again, have software explained to
them again…it’s the same stuff time after time.
Am I insane? Do I expect a
different outcome? Why do I allow this
distraction to take me away from serving the larger population? Stop the madness…you cannot get that time
back. Make decisions about the wasting
of time. If someone cannot handle the
work they’ve been given, then get them out of that role. If the same process isn’t getting the results
needed, then put the effort in to change the process so you can be free from the
hamster wheel. Make the change.
I am not making light of responsibilities. I know that form completion matters. I know that one-on-one chats have to
happen. I know that your CEO will walk
into your office and eat an hour of time.
I know. Is that every day? Is it keeping you from the objectives you’ve
set?
Time will keep moving on.
Those goals you have for 2014 have a smaller window for completion. We’re about 9.5 months into the year. Can you accomplish those goals you set for
the people of your organization in these last couple of months? If so, maybe those goals weren’t so
stretching after all?
Are you allowing busyness and distraction to keep you from
what you’re to do? My words are easy to
type. The action of leaving your office
for a time and closing the door behind you might be a discipline that you have
to employ. Be with the people. Learn processes. Watch cultural interaction. Those components will make you a better HR
person, a better business partner, a better worker. You will be energized, enlightened…more
alive! Take back your time.
