“Measure Twice, Cut Once.” -Common saying in the craft fields.
Measuring gift wrapping paper before I cut.
There’s a common saying in the woodworking and craft fields, “measure twice, cut once,” but what does this really mean? Not taking enough time to measure twice before cutting means I risk mistakes that will waste time, money, energy, and materials. In short, haste makes waste.
Instead, I define the situation, analyze & simplify the task, have a plan, and then take the right steps needed to complete the activity. Here’s an easy scenario of work simplification:
Define the Situation: I’ve been invited to my niece’s baby shower, so I need to wrap my gifts.
Analyze the Activity: I bought a baby rattle, rubber ducky, booties, and a bonnet. I need a box, tape, scissors, ribbon, wrapping paper, and a card.
Simplify the Activity: Instead of a separate box for each gift item, I use and wrap only one large box to simplify the project.
Plan the Activity: I schedule a time, pick a conductive work space, gather and layout supplies.
Execute the Plan: I stick to the plan, eliminate distractions, have fun, and take pride in a beautifully wrapped gift.
So, work simplification means I can accomplish any task more “efficiently” thereby giving me more time to spend on really important matters, like my family, friends, my pets, and hobbies.
I think Benjamin Franklin said it best, “By Failing To Prepare, You Are Preparing to Fail.”
As such, the pearl-of-wisdom to take away for a work simplification framework is to, “Define, Analyze & Simplify, Plan, Execute©!”
To learn more about how I incorporate Work Simplification strategies into my lifestyle, please come back and check out my upcoming blog posts tagged with the key words, “Work Simplification.”