It’s been a busy week. Understatement. But busy isn’t bad…it depends on what you’re busy doing!
I classify busy-ness into two categories: 1) Productivity, and 2) Accountability.
Productivity comes from really getting things done. Head down, focused, crazy progress that you feel really good about. In the zone.
Accountability includes updating reports, meetings, letting other’s know what you’re doing. This is key when there are multiple resources working on a project, or if you have a boss or board of directors. Oh, and let’s not forget about the client!
The key is finding the right balance between the two. If you have a lot to get done, you will get frustrated if you have to spend lots of time updating about what you’re doing rather than doing it. Long meetings are the worst! But it’s critical to keep certain people in the loop, and feedback is imperative (unless you happen to know everything!)
So instead of scheduling lots of update meetings, why not find a more creative and efficient means of cross-communication? We’re sitting right in the middle of an amazing technology era – surely there are better ways than conventional meetings! A marketing partner and I are using something as simple as an igoogle dashboard to keep our project moving forward.
Now what about the solo entrepreneur? Is it possible to be sooooo productive that you forget to document for accountability? Do you refer back to your original business plan to make sure you’re staying on track? Do you get feedback from anyone outside your brain as you move forward at lightening speed? It can be rather lonely, and it’s easy to second guess yourself without others to bounce ideas off of.
Bottom line, whether you’re working on your own, or for a boss in a J.O.B., the right balance is still critical. You’ve got to be accountable to someone – especially to yourself. And you’ve got to get stuff done.
Good luck!
