Here's a parable which was inspired by sight of Santa's beard.

I am a wet shaver. That means I apply shaving soap to my face with a shaving brush and before shaving, work it up to a lather using a vigorous rotational action to soften the morning's stubble.

"Thank-you for sharing," do I hear you say, "but what on earth has that to do with me, effectiveness or efficiency?"

I know it will surprise you, but there have been times in my life when money has been in short supply. One morning I remember reflecting with some satisfaction on how economical I was with the shaving cream. Each tube I made last for 6 months. Then I paused. A tube of shaving cream costs around $3. Each one I made lasted for 25 weeks. Wow, what incredible economy! But tell me, how much difference would it have made to our financial situation if I had used one tube every month, or even one every week? Frankly, not much! This is the difference between effectiveness and efficiency.

Was I using each tube efficiently? You bet, I might even have been able to get into the Guiness Book of Records. But how effectively was I impacting our monthly budget? Not at all. Now if I was able to find 5 or 6 or 10 or 50 initiatives all saving the same amount, I would begin to see something really meaningful. That would be effective and efficient!

So my challenge to you today is to ask, which are the areas of your life and business in which you are being incredibly efficient while contributing effectively nothing towards any of the goals which make your heart sing and what are you going to do about that?

(c) Martin Sawdon. 9th December,2002

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martin Sawdon of Coaching-Works! has a passion for the creation of super-successful organizations - Sustainable Workplaces