Re: Time. Time management. Time expenditure. Time, got TIME?

Gordon -

How well I remember being told by Master Chief Santerre to be a molecule of air and draw my pathway through the Alexander Hamilton's vent system! You are absolutely right, in that the submarine qual process has served me well both on other Navy ships and in learning the ropes of a new job or client.

It provided an orderly way to break down a company or system, and then taught you to put them back together in a way that was meaningful to you so you would be able to USE the knowledge.

The way I've used the qual system in civilian endeavors is to first research the topic at hand, decide my objective(s), determine how my objectives fit into the big picture and with each other, draw a process or flow chart to determine how I want to accomplish my objectives (starting with the end in mind), and breaking down each milestone into daily action steps.

I don't necessarily write it all down in a formal and detailed manner, but write enough to ensure I can track my progress against my objectives, and to know where I am at any point in the process. This also helps me to enjoy the process and journey, as well as attaining the objective.

In my current job environment, I see three types of people - those in a panic and in total REACTION mode; those obsessed with details and bogged down in planning and defining the process without making process; and those with a balanced approach who seem to accomplish a lot! Hopefully, I'm in the balanced area most of the time:-)

Thanks for the post and the memories!

Bob