EFFICIENCY with CONSIDERATION

Are you, perhaps, one of those persons who have felt overwhelmed in a large organisation? Are the resultant feelings affecting your well-being? Rather than being unhappy, one can work on being efficient. And when we try to be so, it affects our relationships and rubs off on some of those who observe us.

Efficiency means attainment of desired results without waste. When too many rules and regulations are set up, one observes resentment, if not, open rebellion. But continually striving to do better makes one productive. Efficient handling of work requires more than a list of just rules. It involves consideration and a readiness to show personally how things should be done.

Pressurizing or expecting too much from others is not the way of efficiency. The highest standard of work is performed by those who are in a happy, contented frame of mind. Such ones are willing to accept correction, as long as they also receive commendation for jobs well-done. And, when they do make a blunder, patient training, not a whip like tongue works wonders.

Of all the assets in an organisation, people are most the valuable because they are intelligent, resourceful and adaptable. The finest machines in the world are useless without the know-how and techniques of those needed to operate them. Efficiency can be achieved by maintaining a dignified relationship with each person and being concerned about their mental, emotional and physical well-being.

Machines are usually started at low speed when new, then gradually stepped up to attain maximum speed as time goes by. Similarly, each person can build up his / her efforts to maximum efficiency, and can perceive when the safe peak of efficiency has been reached. That safe peak is the tempo at which a person can continue working without undue physical or mental strain.

The challenge is to be happy in all that we do. Sometimes, in a drive for efficiency, we may forget to show kindness towards people. So, one can ask oneself, “How can I be, both efficient and happy in my work and in directing the work of others?

Disorganized, inefficient persons cause difficulties to themselves and others. A slip of memory, a wrongly filed document, an order insufficiently understood, a telephone call inaccurately recorded – these are little failures, the worms that eat into the fabric of efficiency and lay waste the best intentions.

In the guise of efficiency, we might strive for perfection and cause ourselves harm through physical, mental and emotional exhaustion and burn out. Trying for unattainable goals or going to the other extreme by having a careless, self-indulgent attitude robs us of happiness. Reasonableness, not fanaticism is what one needs.

A heartless drive for efficiency often ignores the needs of individuals. Weaker, inefficient ones may be seen as liabilities. Good results are experienced when one has friendly relations with everyone, as then they feel secure. When such closeness exists, a happy flock is motivated and responds well to direction without coercion.

Efficiency experts in the business world try to avoid waste by unnecessary movement. Their goal is to accomplish more in less time with less energy and at less cost. The same principle can be applied in daily life.

The person who plans ahead has a definite advantage over the one who hastily rushes into things without planning. The unplanned, ‘do-it-on-the-spurof-the- moment’ approach can be costly.

Thinking ahead involves more than just planning. It involves not just mapping out the route but also carefully comparing the various options in terms of time and expense. Also, allowing leeway for unforeseen circumstances.

Procrastination is the thief of efficiency and steals time and money. The secret of a well-organised office lies in filing papers in such a way that one can find them quickly. A thing’s proper place is always its logical place and also its more practical one. Often needed objects can be kept in an easily reachable spot.

Efficiency can also be achieved by trying to combine less productive pursuits with productive ones. Not everyone can develop the same degree of efficiency. In the long run, one can depend more upon the happy worker with lower efficiency than upon the hundred percent efficient worker who does his / her job with lack of interest and indifference.

Rather than slaving after efficiency, one can by being balanced, avoid getting irritated on each occasion of wasted time or energy, be it real or imagined. By improving the quality of one’s work, one can add joy and satisfaction while doing one’s work.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Rekha Kumar The writer is a work-life balance and leadership skills facilitator [email protected]