Friday, January 18, 2008

Lunch with Tony Blair and Time Vs Energy

I had lunch with Tony Blair yesterday courtesy of the TD bank..

Much of what he talked about was terrorism but what made me think the most was his comments on China. In China, 60% of the workforce is involved in agriculture compared to 3-4% in Europe and North America. As this evolves to an industrial country, there will be huge changes. THis will creat huge demand for consumer goods.

Where there is change, there is opportunity. The key is to figure out the right ones.

One disturbing fact is China builds one coal fired generating plant every three days. Scary.

Although one of my time management techniques is to not do politics, I do like being challenged to think. And Tony Blair is an ex-politician so I do not think that counts.

I have found myself thinking a lot about energy lately. Yes the coal fired kind but also personal energy. Nate Collier had a good post on this:

I have always thought that time management is as much energy management as anything else. You are managing/allocating your energy (you also can think of it as self management).

I do not know about you, but I’ve got more time than energy. While I’m always looking for ways to work harder/smarter and to increase and expand my energy levels, I’ve observed there are certain times when I’m at my peak. ...

Managing my energy levels, keeping them high and focused, staying aware of what events, words, and people energize or drain me, has always served me in good stead.

3 Comments:

At 9:22 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Tony Blair, huh! Now there's a guy who must have needed a phenomenal amount of energy to meet the continual demands on him. And in his new 'global' role, jetting here there and everywhere, he may need even more!

My bet is that most of us tend to think of personal energy in terms of physical 'umph'....yet as leaders, I believe, the greatest demand is on our emotional and intellectual energies...and even in that order!

My gut tells me that by the time we begin to notice a drop in our physical energy our very core -- our psychological capital, our 'value add' -- has already begun to erode. Not good... and feels even worse!

As with the 'energy' of the other sort, and well before it is too late, the question is 'what do we need to do' - or rather, what are we doing NOW (real 'time management :))- to replenish our supplies - and keep us moving, going forward.

Thoughts?

Be well!

Amanda Levy
Positive Workplace

 
At 1:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really like thinking about time management as energy management. It fits personally, makes me wonder about the ways I spend and waste both, and it also makes me think more globally as well.

I think it very interesting you mention that Tony Blair spoke mostly of terrorism. Using the time/energy analogy, it strikes me as indicative of where we are collectively as human beings that a man with the breadth of his knowledge and experience spends his energy/time in this way.

I wonder what could truly be accomplished by any or all of us if we were able to channel our time/energy in more productive, proactive, and creative ways.

I agree with Nate. I have more time than energy. I wonder when that shift occurred, for certainly in years past I think it was the opposite!

 
At 2:19 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jim,

Here is another point of synchronicity. Energy - I enjoyed a 25-year energy career, yet, even now while my key efforts are not in that sector, it is impossible to ignore energy issues. Politics - few will deny energy is tremendously political. Yet, similar to your approach, I have worked throughout my career to minimize time spent on the political side of energy. Despite this, it is impossible to have an energy career and avoid the politics. In Ontario, our energy policy lies in the hands of folks [the elected and the public service staff] who serve other folks [voters...and tax payers]. Because our Ontario electricity prices are subsidized by debt and taxation, we tend to think all is well. We worry about China and its escalating use of coal and nuclear power...yet, our own politics and practice is conflicted. Ontario talked of then failed totally when we tried to wean our province off coal generation of electricity. I wonder - looking down the road 10 or 20 years - what will have the greater effect on the stress levels of our Ontario business leaders: our own provincial energy situation or the impact of industry and energy activity in the developing countries such as China and India?

 

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