I have vowed to myself many times that I would not nag my children. I´m struggling to keep that vow. Lately, my ranting can be heard in the mornings trying to get my two four year old children ready and out the door to preschool at the scheduled time. I end up speaking long-winded soliloquies on the virtues of being on time and the consequences that lateness creates for others, blah, blah, blah! I might as well be talking to myself.
I observed a similar phenomenon recently in an organization I´m familiar with. A mandate was sent down from on high to increase output of a certain type from weekly to daily. There was no gradual transition plan put in place, nor was there a discussion of how to make the increased output possible, or a clear and compelling reason for the change. What resulted was a failure to comply. Surprise!
The ´aha´ I experienced this morning, once my children were dashed off to school 25 minutes late was that the whole morning routine feels heavy and full of rules and obligation. Plus, I´m boring myself with all the ranting. Instead, my new plan is to make it fun. I´ll create a game out of the morning routine, complete with fabulous prizes for successful on-time completion. We´ll turn a chore into a place of learning and fun, and my hope is our success will grow. (My ultimate and secret hope is that somehow, over time, my little ones will share my personal value of being on time. For now, compliance will do nicely.)
As to the organizational dilemma, I think a similar solution might work. Why not make this new challenge one that feels lighter for all those involved? Achieving success for one week on the new daily output plan could result in some prize deemed worthy by the participant (an afternoon off, a free lunch, etc.) This type of new program could help build the new habits necessary for long-term success. Assuming this new daily plan is indeed a good one, which time will tell, helping it feel less like a chore seems like a good place to start.
Is it just me, or could we all use a little lightening up?
