ef·fi·cient: achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
ef·fec·tive: successful in producing a desired or intended result.
in·ef·fec·tive: not producing any significant or desired effect.
Peter Drucker explains in his book, The Effective Executive, the difference between efficiency and effectiveness: “Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things.”
Now that you are taking a break from being effective or efficient or both or neither, please briefly but seriously ponder the following questions:
- Today, am I doing things right?
- Today, am I doing the right things?
- Today, am I doing the right things right?
- Today, do I have any freakin clue what is right for me to be doing?!
Sit with your answers for a few moments. Let the reality sink in. Not to judge (though feel free to celebrate if you are doing the right things right!)
Now, ask yourself one final question: Today, what can I do to make sure I am doing the right things right, being Efficiently Effective?
The impetus for this post was my own realization today that I was feeling angst about doing things right, about getting stuff done! The red flag came up when I found myself feeling overwhelmed by the many to-dos that I had a hunch (aka absolute knowing!) would not actually get done. I caught myself on the treadmill of mindless doing and (thankfully!) stopped long enough to see that many of my to-do list items were not the right things at all (for today) and – in fact – what was most right for today was not on the list at all! Behold the Master of Efficient Ineffectiveness! …yippee… :o(
So, I resolve to help guide myself to Efficient Effectiveness (even in the context of a SMART plan) by regularly asking the question: “Today, am I doing the right things right?” And, if the answer is not an immediate and truthful “Yes!”, I vow to seek clarity on what’s right before I (continue to) waste away the day (week, month, year, lifetime) being Efficiently Ineffective!
Here’s to a righteous day!