Articles

Too Much of a Good Thing

Jana M. Kemp

“Too much of a good thing” is part of a country song refrain I heard while driving the other day. Oddly, the refrain reminded me of a conversation with a client whose efforts to be efficient turned into a nearly $20,000 mistake.

Here’s what happened: A departmental team decided to increase staff efficiencies by outsourcing the warehousing and fulfillment of an educational workbook. So, a company was hired to complete these tasks. However, a communication error caused not one but three orders to be placed with my company. The $20,000 mistake thus occurred. The effort to be efficient created an oversupply of materials that would take three years to consume. And the final result is unknown because the story is in progress. I hope to have an efficiency update soon!

How many times has your business focused on being more efficient and then discovered that too much focus on efficiency caused other errors to be made? Hooray if you were able to answer never. Like the client company I’ve cited, most companies have had this happen from time to time. In fact, about ten years ago here in Idaho, I heard someone quip “my company steps over dollars to save nickels.” Proof that too much of a good thing, can be a bad thing.

Here are some additional examples of when too much of a good thing becomes a drain on productivity and effectiveness.

1. To Do List Overloads – Putting so many things on your to-do list that it becomes impossible to get everything done is an example of “too much of a good thing.” To prevent overloading your to-do list, start adding the amount of time each activity will take. This way you can realistically assign yourself a volume of work and activities. Also be aware that when making your to-do list becomes a scheduled activity that takes more than 10 minutes, you have moved from being efficient into wasting time.

2. Too Many Calendars – Most of us can get by with using three or fewer calendars. Too much of a good thing with calendars can cause your schedule to become overcrowded and your effectiveness to drop because things don’t get done. So review the number of paper, desk-top, wall, computer-based, and hand-held calendars you are using and ask “am I being efficient.”

3. Too Many YES commitments – We’ve all done it, said yes to one more activity than we actually have time for. Too many commitments to others, which of course can be a good thing, can at the same time cause your own energy to drain. Check your tongue before you say YES to one more commitment. Be realistic about how many good things and activities are right for you.

Action Plan: Simplify. Involve yourself in only the activities that will really help you to reach your goals and to enjoy your life.
__
Reprint Permission: The author is willing to grant reprint permissions. Please contact Jana Kemp: jana@janakemp.com or call 208-367-1701.