That’s
where I’ve been. The Shed. It’s a
place where skills are developed. Craft is
fine-tuned. Knowledge is gained. Values
become focused. Goals and objectives are
determined. Priorities are set. Where I
learn how to move from good to great.
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“To step deep into the shed, to
devote oneself to serious study
and practice, is to come face to
face with two things – the
imposing magnitude of one’s art
and the sometimes nearly
daunting details of one’s own
limitations. But through that
sobering time spent in the shed
slowly learning how feeling is
most accurately given the
radiance of form, one
sufficiently talented can rise
to the skill of engagement known
as artistry.”
Stanley Crouch
(Liner notes from the Album
"Deep in the Shed" by Marcus
Roberts) |
The
Shed and Today’s Business Environment
As an
executive coach, I’ve found that almost
every client I have, and every client that
every other executive coach has, suffers
from time or workflow management. Doing the
work and living our lives leaves little time
to go to "the Shed" for the nourishment and
replenishment needed for the 21st
century businessperson.
Stephen
Covey, in his groundbreaking work The
7 Habits of Highly Effective People,
described "the Shed" when he spoke of the 7th
Habit - “Sharpening the Saw.” Covey stated
that sharpening the saw “is preserving and
enhancing the greatest asset you have –
you.” He went on to add that: “It’s
renewing the four dimensions of your nature
– physical, spiritual, mental, and
social/emotional.”
My time in
"the Shed" includes a number of
activities: reading, studying, reflecting,
teaching and practicing. I especially enjoy
reading. However, who has time to read the
local paper, business papers, periodicals,
memos, letters, the web, and books?
The Relationship Corner Book Reviews
In 2006,
The Relationship Corner will help you go
“Deep in the Shed” by reviewing some of the
best books written today and yesterday. The
focus, of course, will be those books that
can help you build business stronger
relationships
Can’t make it
to "the Shed?" Then check out The
Relationship Corner … starting now!
The
Relationship Corner Book Review:
 |
Getting Things Done – The Art
of Stress-Free Productivity
by
David Allen |
This is far
and away the best book I’ve read on managing
your time. What’s really great about
Allen’s book is that his system is easily
adaptable to whatever it is you’re doing
now. Stressed out by your Treo or
Blackberry? Still using that Franklin
Planner? Never had a system (and maybe
never will)? Doesn’t matter – this is the
book for you.
The big
message that I got from this book is the
need to get everything you have to do out of
your mind and onto a sheet of paper, into
your PDA, or into your “things to do”
system. A mind clear of the clutter – not
thinking about what needs to be done - is in
fact a more productive mind. It truly is
amazing to discover how much better I felt
after eliminating the stacks on my desk and
really sticking to my system.
There’s a lot
more to Allen’s text. He offers great tips
on managing workflow, setting up your
workspace, organizing your system, keeping
your system up to date, deciding on what
action to take, managing projects, and
discussing all of this in the context of
today’s fast and complex environment.
OK – so, what
can be gained by becoming more productive?
Two things I can think of:
|
1. |
As an
executive coach what I notice about
most people is that they know what
needs to be done and they usually
know how to get it done. They just
don’t do it! This book will help
you actually get things done. |
|
2. |
The
second benefit from becoming more
productive is that it will provides
you with more time for the other
aspects of life that are important
to you – namely – your
relationships. As your productivity
increases, more time becomes
available to enjoy and enhance both
business and personal relationships. |
Read this
book. You’ll start seeing the difference
right away!
The End
