We are regular readers of Entrepreneur.com – a great source of inspiration, ideas and shared experience for start-ups.
Although U.S. based, the site does often contain the stories of UK and European organisations and individuals, and is nearly always relevant for new companies in the social sector too.
Recently published was an article on time management. An old skill well worth mastering of course, but the interesting slant given by Entrepreneur.com was around the need to combat ‘time urgency’.
This struck a nerve with me.
Getting things done quickly, when in completely ‘focused’ mode other things begin to distract you – creating stress, physical discomfort and rising feelings of imminent disaster.
This may sound a little strong, but the drivers of small revenue engines, whatever the context of their work, will recognise the symptoms.
Limiting these feelings of time urgency will definitely enable you to work better – the end result is better quality personal output and a more efficient business.
The article refers to research that indicates social entrepreneurs often fall into the ‘Type A‘ personality category, fuelling bad habits and looped behaviour of driving yourself to achieve, yet the very process obstructing the successful completion of your goal.
Some theorists argue that indicators of this type of behaviour can also have very negative effects on your health too. (Although Type A/B personality assessments are sometimes considered ‘pop’ psychology by some, the analysis can help in self assessment of behaviour or stress, I think).
I recently stopped a piece of work for an organisation, despite being highly worthy of support, because engagement was forcing me to step outside both my natural rhythms and to develop modalities of action outside my lived experience of social business development.
I am not sure whether that makes me an A or a B?
For me, better not to do it and move on to a new project, than to persist with increasing rafts of time urgency – to the benefit of both projects, new and old.
If you recognise yourself in this short piece, to cope with time urgency for the social entrepreneur often requires some very hard thinking and crisp action, but the benefits will be worth it.
You can read the full Entrepreneur.com article here. Lower stress, better business – wherever you are.
If you have a time urgency solution or experience, let us know, and we’ll share it here with others.
(This post was written by Tim Smith).
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