Improving Effectiveness

on the Road  to

Work Life Balance

Thoughts and Tips on:

"Paid More Than I Am Worth?”

Will this new year bring hope and opportunities? Will it bring challenge, stress and economic pain? To a great extent, our answers largely depend on our thoughts and attitudes as well as our personal corporate actions.

  

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Word of Wisdom:

"We have not inherited the present from the past; we have purchased it from the future with credit that places the next generation at risk of foreclosure."

Dr Rick Fenton,

Futurist.

Thoughts

Today we have the highest ratio of debt to Gross Domestic Product or Per Capita Domestic Product, because I was paid more than I am worth? Let me explain.

In past generations people spent and lived on ONLY what they truly earned from their labor or efforts. Today, if I have a mortgage, car loan or credit card debt, I am spending what I earn, PLUS what I hope to earn in the future. My spending is higher than my true economic value contribution or more than what my efforts are truly worth.

Let us take this a step further. If the pay cheque we receive is supported by an employer’s line of credit or debt financed corporate bonds, then we are paid by inflated assets that do not reflect true corporate value contribution. If the social and government services we enjoy are supported by deficit budgets and government bonds then we are living on more than our tax contributions are worth and asking our grandchildren to pay for our present lifestyle.

Let me assure you, holiday indigestion has not gone to my brain. In rational discussion we need to come back to personal ownership of the economic crisis we face. In other words, if I have contributed to the problem I have a personal responsibility to be part of the solution.

Tips

While governments are trying to get us out of a deep hole using the same shovels that got us into the hole, I suggest we each have personal ropes that can pull us out of this miry clay. If you agree with the above opinions, then as individuals we can do one or more of the following:

  1. Work harder and longer to wipe out our personal debt and help pay for our corporate and government sins. In so doing, we have to guard against the risks of compromised health and work/life balance.
  2. Reduce our spending and increase our savings and taxes. While this may be desirable and admirable it might be painful especially in light of governments and advertising agencies trying to stimulate spending.
  3. Improve our personal and corporate effectiveness and productivity. While this may be challenging for some, based on our client experience, I strongly believe it is VERY practical for most leaders and knowledge workers. I believe that as leaders and knowledge workers we can significantly enhance our value contribution by focusing on our highest value roles, relationships and activities.

The new year is a time for inventory and commitment. We each need to think and ask:

  1. Am I truly invested in the roles that are my best fit and where I deliver the Maximum Impact for Good?
  2. Am I focused on the important and teachable people in my life or do I allow draining relationships to sap my energy and diminish my potential?
  3. Am I invested in core issues that are critical to the fulfillment of my roles or do I allow urgency and distractions to ruin my focus and destroy good work habits?
  4. What changes do I need to make, and how can I engage others is forums of accountability in order to enhance my disciplines so I can live a year of Maximum Impact for Good?

PS: Please note we have changed the title of our e-letter to reflect the renewed need for Improving Effectiveness on the Road to Work/Life Balance. This is critical. Our future depends on it.  We welcome your opinion and feedback. E-mail us or use our blog.

Note:

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