Do We Want to Be Efficient or Effective in our Time Management?
Do you still remember the difference between efficient and effective from your physics class? No? Don’t worry! Here is a quick recap:
Effective – producing or being able to produce an intended result. Focus on the output.
Efficient - being effective without wasting time, expense or some other resource. Focus on the input/output ratio.
Generally, in the context of time management, to be effective is said to be “doing the right thing”. To be efficient is to “do things right”. It is possible to be effective without being efficient, but also the other way around.
When we talk about effectiveness and efficiency, we should generally tell a little more… This and this is effective for DOING THAT. Something is efficient in THIS SENSE. Especially when talking about efficiency, it’s good to know in which way something is efficient. Is it fuel-efficient, cost-efficient, or maybe time-efficient?
Above we have a Toyota Prius, a fuel-efficient hybrid car. Below a Hummer – a relic from the times when it was super cool to own the least fuel-efficient, most bad ass car on the block. Nevertheless, it sure has an effective engine.
Table-form explanations:
| Effective versus Efficient – EXAMPLES | |
| Statement | True or false |
| The Prius has an effective engine | false |
| The Hummer has an effective engine | true |
| The Prius has a fuel-efficient engine | true |
| The Hummer has a fuel-efficient engine | false |
| … | |
| Having 3 secretaries is an effective way to mange time | true |
| Having 3 secretaries is an efficient way to mange time | false |
| GTD is an effective way to manage time | true |
| GTD is an efficient way to manage time | true |
Examples in table form.
For most of you all this was probably somewhat understood. For those of you who needed some crystallizing, I hope that this article was effective in doing so. However, if I go on for longer, it won’t be efficient.
Summary: Efficient versus Effective
So, effectiveness or efficiency, which one do we desire? Well, the answer, my friend, is that we often need both. Still, effectiveness is the basis and means that we are doing something in the right direction. To be efficient is the bonus. At Time Management Solutions we want to help you be both. When we manage to do both at the same time, it leaves us with the maximum amount of time to lie on the couch. And isn’t that cool!
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