We all carry a mental burden
A burden of things we worry about:
- We worry about our pension
- We worry about where we are going to get lunch from
- We worry about buying a present for our mother’s birthday
- We worry about our next performance appraisal
- We worry about..
I think you get the gist…
That burden takes up mental time and energy
Time and energy that they could spend far more productively.
I have heard it said that McKinsey consulting run the best concierge service in London. If any of their staff have a problem:
- Dry cleaning that needs picking up
- A washing machine delivery
- A goldfish that needs feeding
The concierge will take care of it.
The partners at McKinsey prefer their staff to concentrate on their work, than worry about their goldfish.
It may be an urban myth
And it is unlikely that your staff are billing £5,000 per day. But even your office cleaner’s mental burden takes up mental energy.
Reduce the burden
If you can lessen the burden your staff face at work:
- Fair pay and conditions
- A comfortable environment
- Good lighting
- A respectful boss
- No heavy lifting
- The right tools…
Whatever it may be, then your staff will bring their whole brain to work. You might as well, after all, their whole brain is what you are paying for.
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Image by Sami Paju
James, I wouldn’t be upset if my employer offered those types of services! Not many, though, can afford to do that. Until they can, I’d be happy with the last list you offered up.
Annette :-)
Interesting read James and working essentially as a freelancer, I can share that surrounding myself with a team of virtual assistants who can help with “the burden” frees up my time and energy to concentrate on the important too.
Thanks for the comment Richard.
There is a lot to be said for focusing on what you are good at and getting help with the rest.
Hi James,
I wonder if the concierge at McKinsey also has a hand in completing employees performance appraisals. That would certainly help them focus even more and would be ace!
Adrian
I’m all for a little 360 degree feedback Adrian
Hello James,
Allow me to share an example of mental burden in the world of consulting. Imagine this, i leave home by 17:00 Sunday to go to Belgium. I work there the whole week incurring expenses. i get back home by 20:00 on Friday. This happens week after week. During the week i am busy and expected to bill 40 hours.
So when am I expected to do my timesheet and my expenses? The weekend!
Now imagine that I am doing my expenses. This involves accessing an online system. it is clunky. It is slow. Entering 20 lines of expenses can take 2-3 hours! Then I have to print out the summary sheet, attach the expense receipts, put them into an envelope and send to the office!
So, yes – there is so much ‘mental burden’ for most of us to carry in the course of doing the core task. Why do companies (like the one that i work for) not care? Because these companies do not value the time of their employees when they do not have to pay for it. Further, most companies do not care for the wellbeing of their employees as employees are not seen as people – just exchangeable resources. Use them up, wear them out, throw them out, replace them.
For my part, I had enough after some time and chose to move on to another employer.
All the best
maz
Maz
Good for you Maz, I can sympathise whole heartedly