When I was a young lad, I explained to my dad about efficiency. I think it was something to do with physics. I explained to him that this could transfer to everyday life, and if we all became a bit more efficient, well...we could change the world.
So he thought about that for a while , then he told me this story.
He worked in the boiler room in an engineering works and they employed two stevedores or coal shovelers. One was sis foot six with a great big shovel, the other was five foot two and could barely pick up a full coal scuttle.
The big guy could shovel ton of coal an hour without breaking into a sweat, but his big shovel didnt fit the boiler hatch and the coal went everywhere. He spent half of his shift shovelling coal back OUT of the boiler room. When it was the little guys shift, he could only move just over half a ton, but it went exactly where it was supposed to go, and he had time to spare to feed the little fire that kept the yard workers warm.
Thats the difference between being efficient, and being effective, he said.
silly old sod
So he thought about that for a while , then he told me this story.
He worked in the boiler room in an engineering works and they employed two stevedores or coal shovelers. One was sis foot six with a great big shovel, the other was five foot two and could barely pick up a full coal scuttle.
The big guy could shovel ton of coal an hour without breaking into a sweat, but his big shovel didnt fit the boiler hatch and the coal went everywhere. He spent half of his shift shovelling coal back OUT of the boiler room. When it was the little guys shift, he could only move just over half a ton, but it went exactly where it was supposed to go, and he had time to spare to feed the little fire that kept the yard workers warm.
Thats the difference between being efficient, and being effective, he said.
silly old sod
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