It’s something I’ve always suspected, but now I know it for certain.
I am idle.
In the last 4 weeks I have been working flat out, delivering training sessions back to back across 8 different topics. I’ve had to adapt my own materials to deliver using WebEx, create new stuff and get my head around a client’s materials (which I always find hardest). By the end of next week I will have delivered just under 30% of my annual target, in 5 weeks.
Oh yes, and in the middle of all of this I have moved house, been to two school reunion events and hosted my son James on his return home after 2 years from Australia.
I’m no mathematician, but something is telling me that I could be capable of at least doubling my output. Oh my giddy aunt.
Is this work rate sustainable? I’m not totally sure, to be honest. It’s certainly got me thinking about increasing my expectations of myself. My mental limits over what I am capable of need to be redefined, methinks.
What I do know is that I have thrived on it. I am in what some people call a “flow state”: it all seems to come without having to think too hard. This morning I woke at 5 and got up, buzzing. Got my head around a client’s coaching materials, did some hotel and logistics planning for next week, wrote this Blog, went down and scoffed a massive breakfast (my appetite has increased exponentially, unfortunately!), and nipped out to see the Edinburgh Christmas market before my first training session at noon.
I’m loving it, frankly. Given a choice between this and having time on my hands (which I had plenty of earlier this year), give me manic every time.
Looking at this logically for one millisecond, there is a downside and some risk:
- I probably don’t need to do it, and it can impact on others, most obviously on my home life
- It might be less sustainable than I think and one day it could cause me to simply keel over
- A wheel could fall off because I’m not so on top of it as I think I am
- There are compromises to be made, and the less obviously important things don’t get done.
But for now, I am going to test myself and run with it. Double my personal targets for next year. I reckon I’ve got it in me, and it is doable. You only live once, I won’t have this energy for ever, and if I fail, who’s to know, other than you and me?
One thing I have learnt after 15 years in the business training environment is that most people have far more potential than they realise. Not least myself, it seems!
Question for you: how much of your capacity and potential are you using currently? How loud is that voice which is telling you that you’re overstretched? What would happen if you aimed to get twice as much out of every day next year?
Answers on a postcard, please, or alternatively use the comment box below!
Dear Mike
Two observations:
First is the old saying ” if you want something done quickly, ask a busy man”….I think you are the living proof of that!
Secondly, you are in the lucky position of setting your own tasks/goals/objectives, as opposed to most of the “busy fools” who work for large organisations. You can clearly see a purpose and a reward and I guess it drives you on!
In closing,I am a little bit disappointed that there is no AC/DC on this blog. Can you finish with a little ditty every time….? “Working for the Clampdown” by The Clash would have been a nice little counterpoint to today’s blog….
Mikey XXX
Mikey, thanks so much! Yes, I might not feel this way if I were not doing it for myself, ’tis fair to say!
So you want my musical choices as a sign off to each Blog? Be careful what you ask for! Will check out your recommendation thistle only: this ain’t sort of request show!
I love your energy Michael, especially that you got out to see the Christmas Fair (very envious). I trust that you will know when to slow down or speed up. Just because you are enjoying going flat out now doesn’t mean you have set a new bar for yourself (that you can never go below). I like to think we have seasons too. So, Happy Michael’s On Fire Season!
Thanks Lisa. You’re so right, it absolutely doesn’t mean I have to set a new bar, but I have to admit I am curious to learn what my limits are! I suppose the worrying question is what happens when I discover I’ve gone past the limit!! Happy Thanksgiving.
Michael, You bugger! I was just settling down for a steady day and now you’ve gone and made me feel guilty for not pushing myself harder!
To answer your question I probably use about 60% of my capacity potential on average. I will come back to you with what things I can do to double my output.
Just out of interest I am reading an interesting book at the moment called ‘Creating Workforce Innovation’ by Michael Morgan (who is bizarrely my mother in laws cousin). He is an Australian training/managment consultant.
Its an old publication (1993) and is a little repetative but contains some interesting stuff which I think you would enjoy.
All the best.
S
Sorry Simon to interrupt your gentle doze of a day!!
That book sounds interesting, I shall look it up. Thanks for sharing.
Intriguing that someone so energised and proactive as you still has 40% slack in the system!
Michael,
Yes it is interesting but I think the issue is that no-one can operate at 100% maximum output all of the time, without getting absolutely exhausted and burnign out. That is why I suggested only 60%, allowing for the fact that some days are a write off (sub 25%) output, some days are an exhausting 110% and most days we manage to get most of what we thought we would get done but not quite as much as we had imagined!
Do check the book out there is a great section liosting and explaining 12 creative thinking techniques that I think yiou would eb able to integrate into some of your course material.
Ah Michael!
A couple of observations – that kind of schedule could see your moving costs paid off in double quick time! And I wonder if your sales and marketing experience leads you to be fired up by the pace at which you’re currently working?
But when delivering lots of paid work in a short time – and the rapid fire issuing of invoices seems very seductive, what else is going on in your life? I guess it depends what your targets look like.
As I’ve got older I find a lot of my “output” is taken up with odd things which make a contribution to the community, interspersed with spurts of paid work. It certainly makes for variety, and one thing I often say to clients is not working flat out ensures I have time to properly think about their issues before a meeting or training event, and I don’t arrive half-prepared.
I really value that sense of proportion and balance – but recognise it isn’t for everyone…
You’re right, David. Setting challenging targets is fine, but important to not lose perspective, especially if it starts to impair quality. I’m very aware of that and it is a risk.