Juggling Elephants Blog

In today's Wall Street Journal, Sue Shellenbarger has an interesting column (Some Companies Rethink the Telecommuting Trend) about the reduction in "telecommuters" by several large corporations and government agencies. Telecommuting has long been held up as one way to better achieve balance in work and life. Her column points out that it may not be the best fit for several companies.

The best part of the column is found at the end. Shellenbarger offers some simple yet superb tips for "keeping the at-home gig." They include:

• Perform well
• Increase your visibility
• Make an effort to collaborate

Click here to see the column.

Labels: telecommuting

One tip that I have found to be simple but helpful in managing my 3 ring circus is to use a quad-pen on a master calendar. A quad pen has 3 colors of ink (usually black, blue and red) and a pencil all built into the same writing device. I write all of the activities going on in my life on one calendar but I use the colors from the quad pen to differentiate the three rings of my life. I use black for my work appointments, blue for my "self" activities and red for the activities that relate to my relationships. I use the pencil for appointments that are tentative and have not yet confirmed.

This method keeps my calendar organized but also gives me a great visual way of seeing what is going on and where my rings are having conflicts. A real danger is having multiple calendars that are not in sync (like a work calendar, a pocket calendar and a family calendar). One organized calendar will reduce the stress of wondering what ring I should be in and when. If you use an electronic device or PC for your calendar, the same concept works using color labels.

Labels: focus, planning, time management

In about a month there will be a whirl of activity around our home as we tackle the HUGE elephant of Spring cleaning. None of us look forward to it, although the outcome always gets a big standing ovation from everyone in our family.

This year I decided to take a new approach. Why not set aside 10 minutes a day to work on a small area, and then stop. I was motivated because I knew it wouldn't be too painful, and I was amazed at how much I could get done when laser focused on a single task. I've already started lining up the small acts for the rest of the week. After a few days I plan to let my wife in on my plan and show her the results.

I was affirmed in my efforts when I read a quote today by Marian Wright Edelman:
We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.

What small "act" could you undertake today that when combined with a series of small acts, could make a big difference in your performance?

Labels: focus, motivation, time management

A recent question sent to us through our website was, "I need to know if you can apply these tactics to a four ring circus?" Here was our response:

In response to your question about if the tactics can apply to a 4 ring circus, the technical answer is.... Of course!!!

Seriously, Juggling Elephants is a parable and is written so that people can pick and choose what parts of the story are meaningful and helpful to them. If you see your life (circus) having 4 rings, the way you approach it would be the same as 3. You know you have limited resources (can't Juggle Elephants), so you have to allocate those resources where they are most needed at any given moment (i.e. Which ring should I be focusing on right now?) You're still the ringmaster and have to take control of the acts-or the circus will be running you-regardless of the number of rings. You still need the performers in every ring to be giving their best-esp. with 4 rings because it will be even harder for you to take the lead with the acts in all the rings.

Lastly, the need for an intermission would be even more critical. When I get too busy working in 1-2 rings, I often miss looking at what acts are needed in the neglected ring. With an intermission, you can step back and review the performance, and make plans for a better "next half."

Labels: stress reduction, time management

While reading a newspaper on Sunday I was saddened by the article about a horrible automobile wreck in Maryland (8 killed as car slams into crowd at street race). The wreck was apparently caused by two individuals who had been illegally racing their cars on a remote Maryland highway. Smoke from their cars impaired the vision of a driver on the highway and the car plowed into the bystanders watching the race.

While the accident was indeed a tragedy, one of the comments of the local residents shook me even more. The resident said, "Everyone knows about it, but I've never heard of it getting this bad."

It caused me to stop and think about my own situation. Are there poor habits, attitudes or behaviors that I may be rationalizing by saying "It's not THAT bad?" Are there potentially damaging situations occuring in my workplace that I need to address now-BEFORE someone gets hurt or irreversible damage is done? As I am sure the resident can now attest, standing by and doing nothing is not the best course of action. It may not seem THAT bad now, but things can certainly change quickly.

Lincoln Snacks puts out a great product called Fiddle Faddle. It is a popcorn treat with that "right combination of perfectly popped popcorn mixed with scrumptious ingredients," like caramel and butter toffee that comes in a box.

But "Fiddle Faddle" can also describe a number of things that we do to fill up our performance with "acts" that don't necessarily lead to productivity. These are activities that keep us busy but don't help us accomplish our purpose-a.k.a. time robbers and time wasters. There are no shortages of acts to fill our circus. That is why it is so important to continually define our purpose and review it on a regular basis.

Thomas Carlyle put it very well when he said, "A person with a clear purpose will make progress on even the toughest road. A person with no purpose will make no progress on even the smoothest road." Look hard at your activities and determine which ones have nutritional value and which ones are just filling. Like Ernest Hemingway said, "Never mistake motion for action."

Steve McKee, founder and president of BusinessSuccessCoach.net, has written a fantastic article for Forbes.com entitled Seven Career Killers. One of the seven he lists is imbalance. Below is what he writes:

Many individuals move up the corporate ladder so fast that they actually end up failing as a consequence. More isn't always better -- especially if you're not ready for the challenge at hand. It's important to ensure that you are not only professionally ready to take on a new and bigger challenge, for which expectations are equally bigger, but also that your personal life is ready for the new demands and strains to be placed upon it. Achieving career success also includes maintaining a life balance, and a misplaced professional desire can create a backlash both at home as well as amid peers for your perceived obsessiveness.

Great example of the need to look at all 3 rings before taking action in one.

Labels: priorities, success, work/life balance

One of the arguments we sometimes hear from individuals is that planning a lineup doesn't work for them because they have too many interruptions. While we beg to differ, I had an experience last week that showed the true fallacy in their reasoning.

After spending time lining up the acts in my work ring, I had to take my father to a doctor's appointment. Nothing serious, just a simple quick visit-or so I thought. What was supposed to take an hour wound up taking over 4 hours-with multiple appointments, driving across town, etc. What helped me keep my sanity with this big change in my day was having my lineup planned out. In a spare moment I could review it and see if a quick phone call could be made or e mail sent. While driving, I could at least work on some of the tasks mentally, if not physically. When everything was over and I returned to the office things were a little hectic as I worked to get my acts done, but at least I didn't feel like the circus was running me.

Too many interruptions? All the more reason to have a plan, so you can get your acts together more quickly when the interruption is over.

Labels: interruptions, time management

Just like the circus is such a great experience because it is so visual, there are a number of ways you can improve your performance by simple visual reminders.

A 3x5 card in your pocket, on the wall of your cubicle, or on your bathroom mirror can act as a great tool to help keep you focused on what matters most. Write your goals on a card and attach it to your bathroom mirror - you will start your day reminding yourself of the things that you should be working on. Write an inspirational thought on a card and hang it on your wall for when you need a little boost. Carry quotes on a card that you want to memorize for when you are stuck in traffic or waiting in a doctor’s office with nothing to do - you will find you will have them down in no time. These simple reminders can help you keep the right acts in your lineup.

Labels: focus, goals, priorities

Lawrence Tynes is clear about the purpose of his circus, and he knows how to prioritize the acts in his lineup. He bases much of his lineup on two things-family, then football. In that order.

Tynes is the kicker for the New York Giants, who will face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday. He had worked extremely hard to build his career in two foreign football leagues and the Kansas City Chiefs prior to signing with the NY Giants for the 2007 season. The Summer would be a critical time for him to practice, preparing for his first training camp with the Giants. Truly a chance of a lifetime.

At about the same time, his wife Amanda was suffering through a difficult pregnancy that required her to be hospitalized. Her condition caused vomiting as many as 20 times per day. Tynes faithfully stayed by her side, even though he really should have been practicing to be prepared for training camp. One day she asked him, "Do you want to kick today?," knowing that his lack of practice could doom the career he had worked so hard to build. His response was amazing. He said, "I'll worry about that when the time comes. This [being with her] is my priority now. Everything will work out. I have faith that it will." Spoken like a true ringmaster who knows his circus.

His circus didn't go smoothly. His two boys were born with breathing problems and had to be hospitalized. Tynes struggled at training camp and the coaches even tried out other kickers, but Tynes kept working on his skills and insists that he was never worried. Even in the NFC Championship game he missed a last minute field goal that could have put the Giants ahead. He would get another chance in overtime. Facing a daunting 47 yard field goal in wind and bitter cold, Tynes headed onto the field even before the coach called the play. Wow-what confidence! A few seconds later, his kick was perfect, and the Giants were on their way to the Super Bowl.

On Sunday, his wife and two 6 month old boys will watch him perform in his "work ring." No doubt after the game is over, Lawrence Tynes will quickly return to his "relationship ring" and score a winning performance there as well.

Read the USA Today article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/giants/2008-01-29-tynes-nfl_N.htm

Labels: priorities, super bowl