I have been thinking about an issue that had been bothering
me for a while. How to stay focussed on the task at hand and how to increase
the productivity.
Simple question? Or is it a deep subject? Depends on how you
look at it. Yeah – every manager has this issue which he faces if not on a
daily basis, but very often.
While I was thinking of many options as to how I can apply
different strategies on myself to improve on my productivity and focus, leave
alone the team.
That’s when I came across two extraordinary gentlemen who
have suddenly been a great source of inspiration.
I recently decided to take up renovation of my apartment. In
doing so I had to deal with different sets of people. Those include Masons –
some are extremely skilled at arranging tiles etc, plumber, electrician, sheet
metal worker, carpenter, curtain maker, painter etc etc.
Each of the above departments have many people working. In a
small apartment that I live in it is interesting to note how the above set of different
skilled and unskilled workers manage their time and resources so effectively to
meet the needs.
In these I come across 2 outstanding personnel. They are 2
young lads who have come into Bombay from a remote village in Rajasthan for
specialising in their chosen field – Carpentry.
I have been watching their work for over a month now. They
come in sharp at 9.00 Am in the morning. And work till 9 PM. Yes, it is a 12
hour shift that they manage. I am told this way they get paid for One and half
day’s salary and they make best use of their time productively. After all what
will they do after they go home early at 6 pm?(this was what I was told).
In the 12 hours that they are in the premises – as I
mentioned above there are a bunch of other departments working simultaneously. With
very little place to move around, noise and commotions. But our 2 lads find their
place in their corner not perturbed by any of the distractions they remain
focused at their work. Yeah they need to provide high precision work and they
are focused at that. Keep slogging at it minute by minute.
No tea breaks, no cigarette/beedi breaks. They prepare their
food in the morning before they reach the site and they have that food for
lunch. No other break. Yes – I have seen one guy getting up to drink water once
in a while. Is this humanly possible?
In this era of people getting hooked onto smart phones for
no rhyme or reason. It is a welcome
change to see guys really focused only on work with no distraction. Yes the
only “distraction” if I may call is late in the evening, when other department
workers leave by 6pm, our heroes decide to play some rustic songs on their
mobile phone(which is their back ground music) and continue with their work.
Well, I tell myself – perhaps these guys are not exposed to
the new age stuff. Ah! But then the guy politely told me – Sir, if you want to
see the design, I shall whatsapp you, so that you can approve!
Interesting!
Do I need a better case study for focus and productivity?
