#1084 Efficient vs. Effective

In our last +1, we talked about David Brooks‘ wisdom that the word “altruism” is an invention of the 18th century.

Before that?

Being kind and generous and selfless WAS JUST HOW PEOPLE LIVED.

Today I want to focus on the relationship theme for a moment longer and talk about a concept I’ve been meaning to discuss for quite awhile.

It’s a distinction Stephen Covey introduced in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

He tells us that we can be “efficient” with time and tasks but that we need to focus on being “EFFECTIVE” with people.

(Think about that for a moment…)

Efficient vs. Effective.

Here’s how he puts it: “While you can think in terms of efficiency in dealing with time, a principle-centered person thinks in terms of effectiveness in dealing with people.”

As you may have noticed, if we try to be efficient with people (especially our kids—who, you might remember, spell love “T.I.M.E.”) we can often find ourselves quite efficient AND equally INEFFECTIVE.

The fact is, relationships can be messy. And, they definitely take fully-present time.

So…

Today’s +1.

Let’s show our Loved ones just how much we love them by giving them more time—of the FULLY PRESENT variety.

And, as always, let’s remember that our greatest obstacle to giving that FULLY PRESENT time and creating effectiveness in our relationships is almost always TECHNOLOGY.

I mean…

Why the distracted rush with the people we love?

So we can scroll through our smartphones ten more times Today?

Let’s take those wasted moments (and minutes) and put them into our relationships.

TODAY.