Scotty on Setting Realistic Targets for Yourself
Do you set yourself up for failure at work by signing up for too much to do in too little time? Do unforeseeable events derail your ability to meet your deadlines? When I estimate deliverables by establishing target due dates, I think of two things, Richard Templar’s The Rules of Management: A Definitive Code for Managerial Success (Richard Templar’s Rules) and Scotty from the original Star Trek series.
Set Realistic Targets for Yourself–No, Really Realistic
After reading, The Rules of Management by Richard Templar, “Rule 43 Set Realistic Targets for Yourself–No, Really Realistic” was timely for me a few years ago. I had ended a work week, where I realized I set unrealistic targets for myself. I am capable of heroic acts, but left myself vulnerable to chaos. I committed to well-defined deliverables to my former CEO. But, with a major deadline, I didn’t factor in unforeseeable circumstances that caused me to lose two to three days of work and focus. I managed to pull off the 90% of my key deliverables, but only by the skin of my teeth.
Lesson learned: set realistic targets and budget for unforeseeable events.
Scotty, The Miracle Worker of Star Trek
Do you remember Scotty on Star Trek III: The Search For Spock? Scotty understands how to manage Kirk’s expectations, below is the following dialogue between Scotty and Kirk:
“How long to re-fit?” — Kirk
“Eight weeks. But you don’t have eight weeks, so I’ll do it for you in two.” — Scotty
“Do you always multiply your repair estimates by a factor of four?” — Kirk
“How else to maintain my reputation as a miracle worker?” — Scotty
“Your reputation is safe with me.” — Kirk
Schedule Extra Time for Chaos
We don’t have crystal balls so we can accurately plan our time. Therefore, we can’t know that potential crisis or some other compelling reason may prevent us from delivering our normally expected deliverables. I’m not advocating that we use Scotty’s factor of 4, but I am recommending that you build extra time into your work plan for the unknown–those days that can take you buy surprise and force you to change priorities. While I’m an admitted control freak, I now know that I cannot control everything. Today, I build in extra time in my schedule for chaos.
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its the common factors that it always not as happen as a person thinks.when planning for something, extra time should be gived for its completeion either its some business tour or educational field e.g ccnp practice exams
can be late after completion of its training.extra time margin should be kept in mind
I have always loved the referenced dialogue above from ST3, however I only recently adopted in the past year. This simple to understand (but not so simple to implement) philosophy has allowed me to maintain a much better work/personal balance. At the same time, I am convinced the payoff in sanity has not diminished my production and actually allows me to be a better employee. Thanks for the article!
You’re welcome Tony! It is hard to implement. With my own work style, it took me a few years to get better at estimating my time on projects or tasks. Eventually, I was able set realistic targets, while giving myself the wiggle room I needed in case something went sideways, so I could still meet my deadlines.
Yeah i agree with him he said right, its the common factors that it always not as happen as a person thinks.