contemplation

The analysis into how our society and  economy arrived at its current low will go on and on. A lot of it is pointless conjecture, however every so often a point is raised that can cause you to reflect on your personal charictor and working pattern.

Half listening to the radio as I raced through a current project, caught in the constant need to catch up with my schedule, I was struck by a discussion on the stock market traders culture of quick gut instinct decision making. In an attempt to make faster trades and inturn more cash, traders were incoraged not to reflect on outcomes but just nail the deal. Not surprisingly this practice was rampant in Lehman Brothers before they were declared bankrupt.

Looking around the workshop I came to the shocking realisation that I could accuse myself of having the same work ethic. Taking on too much work and battling to keep up with a schedule can cause risk taking, poor planing and a sence that all is spiralling out of control. 

The answer to this? take on less work? easer said than done these days. One positive step to take could be allowing more time for those long forgotten and much underrated skills contemplation and reflection. Taking time to think a job through, looking for problems that may arise and asking if the techniques you plan to use are the best, or would a different approach work better.

I will try to implement this simple plan into my working life, and if successful I'll give the I.M.F a call