It is just shy of four weeks since I began this process. The idea was take what I have learned from the study of supply chain principles, and apply them to some area of real life. My initial calculations showed I was losing over 50 days a year to 'lie-ins' alone. Once I saw this, I knew I had to take action. But joking aside, there is no shortage of people who will vouch for the fact that getting up early most mornings is not an easy thing to do. I needed to come up with a process which was easy, reliable and was going to work for years to come. Early in the blog, I describe how I had one alarm, then two, then I hid one and so on. Looking back on this, I took something of a 'gimmicky' approach to solving a real issue.
I learned several things.
- One thing I learned regarded identifying issues. While sleeping in late may not actually create a 'problem' per se, it greatly limits one's potential. We shouldn't presume that because something isn't visibly failing, that it is reaching its maximum potential
- I think I was reasonably successful with idea improvement and feedback, though perhaps I should have spent more time originally coming up with one or two well thought-out ideas, rather than having four or five possibly good ideas. I perhaps should have done a better job in the screening phase Then again, if after 4 weeks I have solved this issue, then this is a low price to pay. Theory does not always pan out in practice, as I proved with my alarm clocks, but when you mix process design with evaluation and improvement, then you are far more likely to see results. Testing phases are crucial in any new process development.
- It is also important to go through each phase of design process, and to be very aware of what stage you are in. I did this to an extent, but should have been more rigid.
Obviously, when apply SCM principles to a personal issue like this, I didn't have to worry about top management meddling or communication barriers, but I was aware of some other well-known pitfalls (as described by Kessler, Bierly, Gopalakrishnan). Take 'obsession with speed' as an example. I started this project nearly a month ago, because I knew that a problem I have had for years was not going to be solved overnight. It required the breaking and rebuilding of a routine. It took me quite a while to realise that my old routine didn't need to be fought with gimmicks such as hidden alarm clocks. Rather, what was needed was a rethink of my attitude towards daily life. I simply needed to make myself busier and more productive, and then the option of throwing away 50 days a year to excess sleep wouldn't be an option. I believe that creating a House of quality was key in helping me recognise this, as without it, I would have spent time trying to get people to make me get up, which is unsustainable in the long run, and still wouldn't have addressed the key issue (of needing to manage my time better).
So after one month, the process I have designed for those who are wasting too much time sleeping is to give yourself lots of concrete plans that will ensure you won't have the time to be lethargic! Try to see free time as time to be filled, rather than time off. That said, everyone is entitled to a break now and again!
So after one month, the process I have designed for those who are wasting too much time sleeping is to give yourself lots of concrete plans that will ensure you won't have the time to be lethargic! Try to see free time as time to be filled, rather than time off. That said, everyone is entitled to a break now and again!
