Coaching a Professional on their Productivity

interview.jpgAs I mentioned in yesterday’s post, one of the benefits I have found in the use of the 2Time approach is that it functions as a useful diagnostic tool.

When I work alongside other professionals I have found myself better able to gauge their “belt level” so to speak, and adjust my actions accordingly.  For example, there are certain ways that a White Belt will interact with new time demands that is quite distinct.  Others might get upset at their habits, and let them know as much.  Some will refuse to work with them ever again.

A better approach is to realize that their actions are the perfect ones for a white belt, and that they should be at no other belt level other than the one they are currently at.

Also, someone who can understand the level at which a user is operating is better able to function as a time management coach, because they can very clearly see the current situation in terms of the 11 fundamentals.

A good cook can taste home-made brownies and immediately tell what is missing, or overdone, if anything.  They can give some spot-on coaching about which of the basic ingredients are missing.

The same apples to time management.  A good coach in this area is able to discern where the coachee should focus their time, energy and effort, and goes well past the everyday cliches like “work smarter not harder.”  In fact, a coach could do much better and break down their advice into specific habits that need to be changed, at a rate and sequence that the coachee could actually absorb. There are sheets that I provide in my programs that serve as excellent planning tools that could help both coach and coachee.

Today I am launching MyTimeDesign to the public, andwhile I don’t aspire to be a personal  coach as I once did, I imagine that there are coaches who would like to use the approach in working with others.  Of couse, there is nothing I can do to stop them, and in fact I encourage them to use these ideas in MyTimeDesign in any way they want (short of copyright infringement.)

A Powerful Coaching Tool

star-wars-luke-and-yoda-caption-generatorphp.jpg One of the side-benefits that I am realizing from the 2Time system is its value as a coaching tool.

In much the same way that a master coach like Yoda or Rafiki could look at their proteges and very quickly discern what they were doing wrong, a coach who understands the 11 practices of 2Time can help someone else they are coaching quite easily.

All they need to do is to look at the trainee’s practices to see which level they are at, and what needs to happen in their system of habits to move to the next level. They may offer tips, and new tools, but the strength of their coaching would be in seeing which new habit must be learned.

With a knowledge of the different ways to help people to change their habits, they can quickly help co-create a new course of action.

This can help a manager to become tremendously efficient in boosting the productivity of their unit, and help them to focus on the important basics, rather than the trivial fluff that floats by everyday that promises to improve productivity.

Coaching Using 2Time

interview.jpgOne benefit of the 2Time system is that it’s an effective tool for coaching, and even self-coaching.

Using the components to look at a professional’s time management system is a little like using a cheat sheet, or diagnostic tool to figure out what the underlying problem is.

For example, a user who is a White Belt in Capturing is going to experience a predictable set of challenges -they are going to complain of “forgetting a whole bunch of stuff”.

A White Belt in Scheduling would say that their To-Do list rolls from one day to the next, without ever changing, making them feel that they are accomplishing little as it grows infinitely long.

A coach who understands the underlying components can easily understand why a user’s system is not working the way they want it to, and why the gaps are being experienced the way they are.

In like manner, someone who is rigorous can coach themselves using the components of 2Time, and decide for themselves which habits they want to change, and at what pace.