View job in three dimensions
There are three ways to view every job. First, there is your perceived job – what you think you are doing. Second, there is your ideal job – what you ought to be doing. And third, there is your actual job – what you are doing. Examining your job from all three perspectives can provide extremely valuable insight for improving your performance. Here is how to do it.
First, write out a list of everything you do in your job. This is like a brief job description. List everything you think of.
Next, you will want to consider the value of each segment. Considering the overall results you are responsible for achieving, what is the importance of each item you have listed? How much does each one contribute to your results? Rank everything on your list from the most important to the least important.
Then, estimate what percentage of your time you think you are spending on every item you have listed. Consider a typical week, month, or whatever time frame is easiest for you. Be sure the total equals 100 percent.
You now have your perceived job. To find your ideal job, add any activities to the list which you ought to be doing, but are not doing at present. Then look over your entire list again. Ask yourself what percentage of your time you should be spending on each item to produce the best overall results. Again, the must necessarily come to 100 percent.
Finally, to see your actual job, simply keep a record of how you spend your time for a few weeks. Summarize the amount of time you actually spent on each of the items you have listed.
You are now ready to analyze variances, or differences, between what you think you are doing, what you ought to be doing, and what you are actually doing. You will probably see many ways to improve your time allocations.
This is a powerful and fruitful exercise. Those who try it almost always find ways to improve their performance and thereby contribute more significantly. Why not try it for yourself? You get a lot of gain for a little effort.
EXAMINING YOUR JOB FROM . . . . THREE PERSPECTIVES CAN PROVIDE VALUABLE INSIGHT FOR IMPROVING YOUR PERFORMANCE.
The said article has been written by Mr. Iyer Subramanian. Presently, attached to Bombay Chamber of Commerce, Ballard Pier, Mumbai as a Joint Director-HR.