Where did the day go?

Resist the temptation to say yes too often - Peter Bregman

When I started a new role, my friend Ram insisted that I create more white space on my calendar if I really wanted to accomplish something that’s good and worthwhile.

Like several of us, we try to be so available and often want to help. Some may need our perspective on issues that’s important to them but not to us.

For the most part, I’m still terrible at saying no. But I’m getting better at learning how to solely commit to things where I can make a meaningful contribution.

Here’s a little test that every commitment should pass before you agree to it:

When someone comes to you with a request, Peter Bregman’s test is pure gold:

1. Am I the right person?

2. Is this the right time?

3. Do I have enough information?

If the answer to any one of these questions is NO - then don’t do it.

• Pass it to someone else (the right person)

• Schedule it for another time (the right time)

• Wait until you have the information you need (either you or someone else needs to get it)

These three questions offer a clear, easy, and consistent way of knowing when to respond, so you can resist the temptation to respond to everything.

Peter Bregman surveyed the top 400 leaders of a 120,000-person company and found that 380 out of 400 pointed out three things that wasted their time the most:

1. Unnecessary meetings

2. Unimportant emails

3. Protracted PowerPoint

Until Next Time,

Keshav :)