You may think that putting time in the second quadrant is easier said than done. What if I don't handle the emergency in the third quadrant?
The author suggests that we should think about how to minimize the transactions in the third quadrant.
At this time, you can try the "monkey rule".
Think of everything in life and work as a lively monkey. They screamed and jumped on your back, one by one, until you were crushed. To solve this dilemma, you have to throw the monkeys on your back one by one. This is the monkey rule.
"Monkey on the Back" is an interesting theory put forward by Bill kenyon. He thinks that many things are not our own business, but because of unclear responsibilities, other people's business has become our own business. Why is this happening? Let's take a look at how monkeys sneak on your back through a case in a book.
You meet a colleague in the corridor and he says, "I'm in trouble. Can I talk to you? " So you began to listen to him with concern. As a result, this problem is really troublesome. It took you half an hour to figure out what was going on, and you couldn't make any suggestions. So you said, "This question is very complicated. I don't have time to discuss it with you now. Let me think it over and we'll talk about it later. " From then on, your colleagues will come to you from time to time and ask you, "What do you think of this?" "When shall we talk again?"
Do you know that you have a monkey on your back? If you haven't noticed, let's analyze this process with the monkey rule.
Before you met your colleague, he was carrying a monkey? Obviously, it is the back of colleagues. There is no monkey on your back. You don't even know monkeys exist.
When you start listening to your colleagues, the monkey has quietly stepped on your back.
When you say, "Let me think about it, and talk about it later", the monkey has completely jumped on your back, and this matter has become your business, and your colleague has become your supervisor. He just needs to come by from time to time to see what you think.
After reading this analysis, did you suddenly find yourself unconsciously helping others carry so many monkeys? Then you may ask, can't we help our colleagues at work?
Of course, you have to help others, but you must ensure that you can take care of your own monkeys before you can help others, otherwise you will adopt many other people's monkeys, but you have no time to take care of your own monkeys. The end result is that you are as busy as a bee and get nothing.
Now that we know what a monkey is and how it slipped on our backs, let's take a look at how to get our own monkey away or put it back on the original owner's back.
The author gave us some questions in the book. Please answer these questions first, think carefully before giving the answer, otherwise other people's monkeys may jump on your back.
1, the boss asked: I want to talk to you about the water conservancy system software project.
2. The subordinate asked: How can we solve the problem of project budget overrun?
3. Colleague asked: When can I get the operating instructions of this software?
My wife asked: Can you go shopping with me tomorrow afternoon?
A friend asked: Shall we play badminton together this Saturday?
6. Parents ask; The air conditioner at home is broken. Why don't you buy a new one?
Have you thought about your answer? Can you get rid of monkeys in your answer? Let's compare the author's answer with his own. Xiao Qiang answered these questions like this:
1. Answer the boss: OK, boss, but could you please send me a copy of the water conservancy system software first?
2. Answer subordinates: What do you think? Can you make a plan to cut costs first?
3. Answer my colleague: I have found someone to do it, and he will send it directly to you.
4. Answer the wife: Wife, I will accompany you all day for the wedding anniversary next month, ok?
5. Answer a friend: OK, call me then. I will definitely go when I have time.
6. Answer parents: OK, you choose the brand and style you like, and I'll buy it for you then.
Xiao Qiang's answer not only solved the problem, but also didn't take other people's monkeys. How's it going? Have you mastered the way to get rid of monkeys? If you haven't, read Xiao Qiang's answer, experience and think about it.
To sum up, today I shared how to get rid of the monkey on my back. Don't worry too much if you haven't mastered the way to get rid of monkeys. This is a process that needs deliberate practice. At least now we can know which monkeys you should throw away. With this awareness, we will get better and better, get rid of the identity of "other people's monkey keepers" and escape from the third quadrant as soon as possible.
-End-
Other reading notes about Xiao Qiang's promotion;
Promotion is not a promotion plan but a timetable.
To become a master of time management, we must first escape from the black hole of time.
"Four Quadrants of Time Management Law and Its Usage Skills"