If You Want Something Done, Let A Busy Person Do It

So many people often wonder how certain people can get anything accomplished, when they "have so much on their plate." Perhaps, those people who ask that question have never believed the adage, "Both the rich and successful man, and the poor and unsuccessful person each have 24 hours in their day. The difference is simply how they use that time."

Why is it that some people accomplish things consistently on-time and in a professional manner, while others consistently do not stay on task, and often produce incomplete or sub-standard products? While everyone's talent level is different, and that certainly is a factor, this phenomenon very often occurs even when individuals of similar intellect, etc., are assigned similar projects. In my more than three decades of consulting, I have observed both those that get things done, and those that don't. I have observed people who only "talk the talk," while observing others that also "walk the walk."

Some individuals can accomplish a task in a far shorter period of time than others. Some understand and realize that to accomplish something, one must develop a detailed plan, and then implement it. Far too many people in today's digital and technologically oriented society over-depend on e-mail and other digital communication, when it is often more effective, both in terms of time and in getting a better idea of a particular task or idea, to simply pick up the telephone. I find it somewhat laughable that many individuals who believe that they are "leaders" avoid so many of the fundamental duties of a leader. Too many of today's leaders believe that being a leader is all about popularity, or being a caretaker, or taking care of problems, and never develop a vision or a plan. An individual in a leadership role that does not have a clearly defined vision, the urge and the ability to motivate others to at least listen, a stick-to-it attitude, a "tough" skin, and a willingness to expand his "comfort zone" is certainly not a true or effective leader.

Leaders must be able to see the big picture, and not make excuses that there is only so much that they can do. When someone in a leadership position tells me that they could not accomplish something because they were working on something else, I realize that they do not fully understand what leadership is all about. Leaders must be multi-phasic, and stay on top of all developments. True leaders do not simply delegate something and forget, or say something and not follow through. Unfortunately, until organizations understand this concept and develop true leadership training, there will be a continuity of this type of inefficiency.

If you want to know why certain busy people get things done and accomplished while others do not, observe them. These people do not make excuses, blame others, or "hide" when things get "tough." The reason busy people get it done is because they can!