Lesson one: Coach Wooden
“Never be late”: Take responsibility for your time
Coach always arrived early to practice to make sure everything
was set up properly. Practice was for 2 to 2 ½ hours and Coach planned every
minute of practice. His practice plans were reduced to a 3×5 cards and
afterwards his assistant coach copied every practice session plan putting it in
a notebook with all the other practice sessions to keep a record of it.
Coach Wooden did not waste time. He said, “I would privately
review my notebook from the previous year’s practice for that exact day,
looking for clues as to what had been effective and what did not work as well.
In fact I regularly reviewed notes from two or three years back-sometimes
more.” (“Wooden On leadership” by John Wooden & Steve Jamison)
His meetings with his assistant Coaches were timed too. He would
also ask for their suggestions and try them out during practice. When their
suggestions worked, they would be added for future practices!
Lesson two: Toastmasters
Meetings Run by the Clock, on Time: Take responsibility for your time
At Toastmasters they watch the time. Meetings begin and end on
time. Every minute of the meeting is timed. Speeches are also timed! The first
time I visited a Toastmasters Club they handed me an “Agenda” with the time the
meeting was to start, how many minutes each portion of the meeting was to be,
and what time the meeting would end. Toastmasters’ is an organization that
helps “members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership
skills.” Toastmasters teaches you to “take responsibility for your time”. Visit a
Toastmaster club near you to see a timed Toastmasters meeting.
Lesson three: Being on
Time:
Businesses have to run on time to stay in business. Employees
are being paid to be good team members who are dependable, disciplined; experts
in their field, and must arrive at work on time. They also have a positive
attitude, a respect for others, and an appreciation for their time too!
Businesses and employees take responsibility for their time.
Tardy Employees Lose
Money at a Business: You have heard the saying “Time
is money”. At a company I was asked to consult with, employees were arriving
late to work and leaving early. These employees were cheating the company each
day of money and time. Work was not being completed and other employees could
not depend on these delinquent team members. Moral was not good, Companies can
go under because of this employee negligent behavior. Managers at the company
had done performance reviews of these tardy employees separately and had asked
questions to try to correct the situation. It was not working.
I read an article by Zig Ziglar, a motivational expert and
mentor to Dr. John Maxwell, of how he had helped a company with similar
problems correct the situation by having them announce to their employees that
they would be installing “time clocks”. Zig Ziglar said after a month the new
“time clocks” were working well and productivity, teamwork, and attitude had
improved. After the time clocks were installed, Managers did evaluation reports
on the tardy employees weekly, to make them accountable and charge their
behavior.
Zig Ziglar “Changed the Picture”: Take responsibility for your
time
Zig Ziglar had changed the picture at this company by helping
them install time clocks in order for his employees to receive their paychecks.
By doing this employees became productive, had an improved attitude, did better
work, completed assignments on time, and became responsible and accountable for
their time on the job.
After reading Zig Ziglar’s article I suggested to the company I
was assisting that they announce at a meeting that they were installing “time
clocks” and each employee was to sign in and sign out each day. After the time
clocks were in operation and the company employees had been signing in and out
for a month the employees were more productive, had a positive attitude, and
became more responsible and accountable for their work. Managers were also
doing evaluation reports on the tardy employees weekly as a reminder to them.
Concerts and Rehearsal
Begin and End On Time:
As a musician playing the violin and viola, I have played
concerts with Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Lou Rawls in concert and performed
concerts as a soloist, with orchestra, playing in opera or ballet orchestras,
and in chamber groups around the world. The timing in every piece is important.
Concerts and rehearsals must begin and end on time. Each piece must be timed to
the minute.
In fact as a musician I always arrive early to warm up and get
ready before the rehearsal or concert begins. In running any business it is
imperative that employees show up on time and leave on time each day. Time
management is a must in every part of your life. Without managing your time
there is no discipline. Take responsibility for your time.
What one thing can you do
to “take responsibility for your time” every day?
Like Coach Wooden and Toastmasters, plan every minute of your
workday and your family time in advance and put it on your schedule. Stick to
your schedule and take responsibility for your time.
Rabbi Harold Kushner and Senator Paul Tsongas said, “Nobody on
their death bed has ever said, “I wish I had spent more time at the office.”
Let your legacy be that you spent quality-focused time with your family and
made sure your business was successful too. Take responsibility for your time!
Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an award winning teacher,
Amazon.com Best Selling Author, 2017 Coach Wooden Certificate of Excellence,
John Maxwell Team Member, Certified World Class Speaking Coach, sought after
speaker, business owner, and concert artist. She helps businesses and
organizations “Tune Up their Businesses”. Her innovative observations show you
the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. She
writes a monthly newsletter “Madeline’s Monthly article & Musical Tips
Blog” and a monthly radio show “Madeline’s One Minute Musical Radio Show”. Her
book “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget” is available on Amazon or Kindle.
Contact Madeline Frank for your next speaking engagement at
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