Setting Parameters At Work To Enable Achievement Of Your Goals
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 (well 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 afterschool activity that was very important to her. She began to structure her work day in such a way that she would be setup 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 afterschool 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 openended 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 elses 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.
Please visit us at http://www.developmentbydesign.com/
About the writer:
Susan Edwards is President of Development by Design a Business Leadership Coaching and Human Resources Consulting firm. Her Coaching clients are high potential leaders and profitable business owners who are redefining the terms of their success and taking their impact to a new level. She consults to Fortune 500 companies and smaller entrepreneurial organizations who are also committed to creating extraordinary impact with their customers employees and shareholders. One of the niches of her practice is supporting new leaders and senior professionals in successfully transitioning into new organizations and clearing the 90day hurdle. She is authoring a selfcoaching workbook to support people in effectively navigating this transition. Visit Sue at http://www.developmentbydesign.com.
Related posts: