Convenient vs. Effective

This quote by Seth Godin recently resonated with me in a powerful way: “Embracing the convenient at the expense of the effective is where failure happens.” I love to cook and find great joy and meditation through the preparation of a well-planned meal. I am thoroughly engaged by scanning cookbooks, doing an inventory of my cupboards, and writing grocery lists. I really get excited when I can create something from nothing or prepare an amazing meal that is organic and healthy for very few dollars. This is admittedly not for everyone, but I believe quality must go in to get a clear mind and energy out. When I go down the road of convenience – meaning processed – I am generally disappointed. If I sacrifice “effective” for “convenient,” the result is often an upset belly.

This leads me to think about work. What do you do in your work that is convenient versus effective? Is it checking email first thing in the morning because that’s what you have always done? Is it effective for you, or is it just convenient? Do you touch base randomly with team members versus sitting down for focused coaching time? This is certainly more convenient, but have you asked them if it is effective for them? I would argue that it may not be effective for their long-term growth and development. Do you attend meetings time and time again where nothing gets accomplished just because you received a request and it showed up on your calendar? Seems convenient on the surface, but what would happen if you stopped attending meetings that were not focused, well-run, and driven by results? You know: effective meetings.
 

We are all guilty of putting convenience over effectiveness in our lives. To become more aware of my behaviors, I am starting a list that includes the items I do simply out of convenience, without the reward of being effective. When I have completed the list, I will review the items and see where I can adapt my approach. Effective is the goal.

What items are on your list of convenient but not effective?