adminHR Column Hector Moyo
THERE are currently one, too many of the “talking” phenomena in the nation! First it was the “talking’ bull in Beitbridge. Next was the “talking” handbag in Gweru and the most recent one was the “talking” suitcase in Plumtree – please give us a break, will you!
However, this cannot be before I add another dimension to these “talking” phenomena, the “talking” GPS (Global Positioning System) gadget – the turn right, travel another four hundred metres, and turn right “talking” lady.
In case you have not come across this “talking” gadget, this is a scientific gadget used by motorists to navigate unfamiliar road networks. It ensures that one does not get lost and the difference is that this gadget is a highly prized possession, which you can ill afford to lose, unlike the other “talking” phenomena, described above, which were deliberately dumped by the owners!
Let us learn more about this “talking” GPS gadget. I start by sharing with you dear reader, classified information, hoping that you will find it in your heart not to laugh at a senior citizen (old man)! You see, I once got lost, thoroughly lost, whilst driving on the Mzansi roads – it was really bad, I tell you.
From that time I vowed not to drive on those “spaghetti” roads of theirs, until the day my Mfumbesi gave me his treasured GPS gadget (on my return trip), on that Xmas visit to their place last year, Malelane is the name.
What a pleasure driving then became — a very soft and dignified voice kept telling me to turn left, turn right, and drive for the next twenty kilometres, and then turn left – wow!
Once or twice this soft voice would say “recalculating”, turn left on the next turn. That statement only came when I did not follow the initial set of instructions. When I checked my BP (blood pressure), after the trip, it registered a ridiculously low figure compared to before I had this GPS gadget.
The conclusion I reached was that the GPS works in such a way as to reduce one’s BP!
We today want to look at “recalculating’,” in relation to the things we set ourselves to do (life issues and at work), at the start of 2013, a year that is fast disappearing. Although my pastor has not announced it yet, it is already end of June – half of the year is almost gone.
Similarities between the ‘talking’ GPS lady and goal setting
The lady does not just “talk” for the sake of – you first feed the gadget with where you want to go, using which route, etc. The lady will only start “talking” when she requires you to follow the route you will have punched in. She only gets to the recalculating frenzy when you start not following the correct route – you will be getting lost, in short.
Similarly you and I set our own goals, in life, at least. Our will power/consciences then become our internal GPS’s – depending on how alive they are.
Let me hasten to say that, “recalculating’,” is an operation that can only be done if there was an initial calculation, this we all have to understand, as a matter of fact.
Recalculating, with respect to individual goals
Let me start with those things that are closest to people’s hearts, their own goals and those of their families. At the start of the year, we set ourselves goals, on a variety of things. Most commonly these goals include the following: sending kids to school, buying clothes, buying a family house, a family car, or indeed for some it is getting a job or getting married.
The goals will depend on where one is in life, as they make the New Year’s resolution, which most of us are only too quick to make.
Our mental GPS’s have been very kind to us – we have travelled six months without them telling us of any shortcomings or the total missing of goals.
For most of us, the mental GPS lady is about to start “talking” to us about recalculating, which in simple terms means we have gone way off-track, with respect to the goals we set ourselves, hence the need for these to be brought back on track.
How do we get back on track? Basically, it requires us to evaluate our goals viz. what we have achieved or not achieved. What did we do wrong or what did we not do, at all? Were the goals realistic or not. In this respect I like the thinking of the youth of today – they will have lots of items on their agendas, based on the pocket money they will be expecting to given by their parents – kambe shuwa (oh, really!). What kind of goal setting is that?
For a goal to be meaningful, let it more be dependent on your own input. For example, a student saying I want to pass all my exams. They then have to develop an action plan which involves reading, and much reading.
Similarly, let adults set goals which are more dependent on their own input. Do not, for example say I will buy a house, if my employer awards me a reasonable increment at work, otherwise the “recalculating” lady will be on your case before you know it?
Recalculating, with respect to organisational goals
We have always said it, that the principles used at work are similar to those used at home (and vise- versa). Organisations that do not have goals, or that set themselves unrealistic goals, are bound to have perennial problems. It is therefore imperative to recalculate (evaluate) company goals, periodical.
It is unlikely that the company will be on a straight road, there will be need for a turn let, turn right, kind of thing, and sometimes a recalculating becomes necessary
High costs of production, shortage of spares, overtime, limited markets, and competition from imports are some of the things that will bring about, the recalculating phenomenon.
Drive straight until final victory
Hopefully, after this mid-year recalculating exercise, assisted by the ladies in our lives (wifey!), we will get it right, in order that we hit the target, adjusted for the remaining six months. This is not an exercise you want to leave to chance, lest nothing materialises, come end of the year.
Do not even bother asking the columnist how he has fared, the “recalculating” process is for all of us, young and old.
Take home for the week
As for me, I need to get back friends that I had lost on account of me not embracing modern technology, fast enough. The concept of “recalculating,” tells me that I need to join “what’s up” sooner rather than later! What have you resolved to focus on, dear reader, in the next six months, leading to end of year?
It is time to catch some sleep or else I will be in deep trouble at work tomorrow, dozing during meetings! I therefore duly rest my case for this week.
Send your views to e-mail address hecandbe@ gmail.com or sms 0777556081.
Online Reporter