Takes longer

You send it to them, they do their bit, it comes back completed and you all get on with next thing. That’s the plan, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

It’s so straightforward. But when reality gets involved … not so much.

Internally, you have influence. You can prod and poke, get updates, give the hurry-up, add time and attention, push things along, hold people accountable, add more people. You know, manage.

And still things take longer than you’d like.

Externally, you’re just an annoying email or a voice on the phone (when they pick up). There’s that tiny gap between absolutely no control at all, and guilt – that’s your spot. Jumping up and down on it might cause tremors, you think, and sometimes they’re good ones.

And still things take longer than you’d like.

Breathe.

Skippy strategy: Keep pushing, but accept that doing things always takes longer than thinking things.

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Category:
Focus