Productivity targets
Busier you get, the more time you need to step back and look at how you are using your time; because you could be just deluded into thinking that you are busy. There are two criteria that determine which realm you are working in – Urgent and Important.
The Realm of Fulfillment: When you are working on the important things, without any urgency, you are in a better position to prevent problems. You can work on increasing production capability by building relationships, recognize strategic opportunities, appropriately vision, plan and prepare. You can actually give more thought to your actions. Working in this realm requires you to be disciplined and allows you to be in control; and that is your key to balance and self confidence.
The Realm of Demand: When things are urgent and important, you are living in emergencies and pressing problems. Your tasks are almost always deadline-driven, and you are always in crises. Although the most essential things get done, you are always putting out fires. That can lead to stress and burn out. You are working very hard, but your focus is very short-term without unsatisfactory long-term results.
The Realm of Delusions: The delusionary things are urgent, but not important. These are the interruptions, requests from others, and reaction to other’s problems. These are the things that distract you from important work. It can lead to broken promises, it can lead to feeling victimized and out control, and it wants you to please others in an instant by doing their bidding urgently while you leave the important stuff. Other people’s lack of planning should not lead you to urgency.
The Realm of Distractions: These are the activities that are not important, and not even urgent. It’s the idle chit chat, browsing through your email and paper work, looking busy. Opportunities are lost because of carelessness. It causes people to become dependent on others. And it leads to loss of self confidence and self esteem.