By DANA DITTMAR, CEO, Sun City Center Chamber of Commerce
Last week I realized I had relapsed. I’d been so good for so long. But gradually — without even noticing — I reverted into an old habit.
Two years ago, a couple of chamber gurus from Kentucky came to visit and offer a free consultation. They came to our Chamber, walked around our huge banquet room, met our volunteer of the day and studied our website. They came to get a feel for where we are currently and to learn from me where we want to go. If you don’t know where you want to go, you can’t get there.
After our meeting, we went to lunch and one of the gurus asked if he could be direct with me and offer me some advice. That’s kind of like when someone says, “I’m telling you this for your own good.” You get that fluttery feeling in the bottom of your stomach and brace yourself for the sound of your confidence level shattering on the floor.
To paraphrase, Guru observed that I need to learn how to say “no.”
While the guys and I were having our meeting in my office, I had to excuse myself several times to answer the phone or handle an issue for someone who walked in the Chamber door. Or did I?
Guru asked me if my productivity level was down. Yes, it was. I felt like I couldn’t get anything done because I was constantly being interrupted and losing my train of thought. So I’d come in early when it’s quiet and sometimes stay late or work on a Saturday, just so I can concentrate.
It turns out that really wasn’t necessary. And it wasn’t necessary to always be available for every call and every visitor. Guru suggested I shut my office door, ask our volunteers to take messages, wean myself from constantly watching my emails and do my job!
I made a commitment to return every call or contact within one business day. But I didn’t have to respond with urgency to every non-urgent situation.
Yes, there was the small sound of ego-shattering when I accepted the fact that I am not the only one who can handle things, and I’m not all things to all people. But it was also liberating. The next day I did exactly that. Through the door, I could hear people ask, “Is Dana available?” and the volunteer answer “No, she’s under a deadline to prepare for the Expo and asked not to be disturbed. Can I help you instead?” It was heaven.
At the end of the day, it only took about 20 minutes to return the phone calls and handle the only two issues the volunteer couldn’t. I was able to concentrate all day and my productivity soared.
Alas, last week I realized my door had been open all week, I was still getting up from meetings and handling a situation and my desk was piled with undone work.
How did I let that happen? Who knows? But the door is now closed, and I promise I will find the top of my desk this week!