More on More on Rules for the Work Day

Picking up where we left off last time, we're going to step away from the particulars to the general. We saw examples of rules that govern how and when we perform this or that specific task or series of tasks. Solid sensible rules allow us to proceed in an orderly and efficient manner. Our time is well spent.

Let's consider now two more aspects of reasonable rules to help us through the work day.

First, we need to know how to prioritize: Do the most important task or tasks as we begin our work day. Recall the 2 Resolutions we use to begin each and every work day. Resolution 2 references "beginning with the most important duties. We should know exactly what those most important duties are on any given day.

Back in the day, when I read "business" or "self-improvement" books, I learned a breakdown of tasks that called for determining what was: Important and Urgent, Urgent and Not Important, Important but Not Urgent, Not Important and Not Urgent. As I recall, tasks would be addressed in that order. (I think.) I did utilize this breakdown for some period of time by appropriately characterizing the day's tasks. But after a while (too long, frankly), I simply got the hang of knowing what was most important without the use of those categories. If you struggle with this, try those categories. They may help.

In any case, do know what's most important and get to that or those items right off the bat. If they take up the whole day, no problem. You can end the day knowing you've done what needs doing. The rest can wait for another day.

Second, the typical work day and/or work week can have a kind of overlay of rules. For example, we always do "x" every morning/afternoon; we never do "y" on Mondays, etc. Here's a breakdown of the rules that have organically developed over the course of our 15-year old planning/investment business:

- We never meet with clients on Mondays. Our focus is on investment and planning reading, research, and study as well as preparing for any client meetings coming up that week.

- We try to keep client meeting (calls/Zooms, etc.) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays. There are exceptions, when necessary.

- We "front load" both our internal business and professional activity, as well as our external activity (meetings with clients, communication/meetings with vendors, contractors, professional colleagues, webinars, etc.). 

This "front loading" has proved both quite beneficial. It allows us to schedule fewer items on Thursday and Friday - typically more on Thursday, less on Friday. We think of these as "spillover" times. As urgent matters pop up, rather than mess with our relatively ordered weekly schedule, we can pop them into those spillover times.

If you followed our "Stability Project" over the last year or so, you understand the importance of having rules similar to these. They reinforce order from day to day, week to week, month to month, even year to year. With order, or some predictable pattern of activity, uncertainty and its step-child anxiety can be controlled, reduced, even eliminated. Thus we provide a basis for calm and peace in the workplace.

Another benefit is to reduce or eliminate being at the beck and call of circumstance or the whim of others. When we started our business, we tended to respond and respond quickly to clients. If a client needed or wanted a meeting, we accommodated their schedule with little thought of our own. It seemed to follow from the idea of putting clients first. But it led to too much chaos and anxiety, especially when these bunched together. In time we realized that, for the most part, clients have no problem being given multiple choices that suit us as well as them.

So do create those generic rules for the work day. You'll watch them promote order rather than chaos. Benefit from calm and peace in the workplace rather than uncertainty and anxiety.

Finally, we can expect a boost to our spiritual life. First, conducting our work in a measured and orderly fashion reinforces self-control, ultimately self-mastery - an important component of a mature spiritual life and robust Interior Life. We'll stand a better chance of finding little windows to recollect ourselves even in the midst of our busiest work days. Thus we can acknowledge God's Presence, perhaps even manage a prayer or some aspirations to keep the spiritual flame alive as we engage in our worldly work.

So rules matter - a lot. Don't wing it. Follow your rules.

Happy Easter!