Learning to work smarter and not just harder.

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland

As we walked the lake today I couldn't help but think about the week that had just passed.  After all, Sunday is the one day we stay away from the store and focus on the household, studies and self.  Reflection has been one of the greatest measures of our week as Jennifer remarked on in her blog 'Monday Morning Notes'. When I am away from the shop, I can look at the week with a fair, but critical eye.

I worked hard this week. We always work hard.  Our wholesale division, LS2M Krown Distributing,  placed products in several accounts; we added books including Eric Carle's Ten Little Ducks and nostalgic candy to the store and our Valentine's online campaign has exceeded our targets.  That said, we still have not placed our clawfoot tub in the store because the restoration is not complete, and our new paint colors for the store are not finished.  At each Monday meeting, I set realistic goals for the week, yet something always gets added to an already long list of to dos.

Jennifer and I started the year by committing to work smarter not harder.  When you are so dedicated to success, how can you slow down the everyday hectic pace of cramming as much as possible into a 16-18 hour day?  I think the key is to keep setting what you believe to be realistic attainable goals, commit to them, and adjust the results on a regular basis.  I used to stick the uncompleted tasks into the next period and keep the next set of goals in tact.  What happened with this strategy was a list that grew to unattainable every time.

In every management and marketing class I've taken we talk about decision making using the SMART method by Peter Drucker in 1954.  It's really pretty simple:
1.  Specific
2.  Measurable
3.  Achievable
4.  Realistic
5.  Time Sensitive
Although the concept is simple, the implementation of it in today's world is a challenge.  I will keep writing about our progress in living SMART decision making.

I have become an expert at working hard.  Now I am learning to work smart.  I'll become an expert at this too.  It's on my list for next week.