I have a dear friend who is well known for his efficiency, both at work and at home. Pretty busy guy, working in a top consulting firm getting 5/5 star ranking on his assessments and holding 3 simultaneous projects aside from studying gmat for his MBA. Obviously someone with loads of stuff on his hands.

Today I called him and he was still at work.
Usually very talkative, he surprised me with a heavy and tired voice.

Me: Is everything OK?
Him: It's just been busy at the office, can I call you back later

(I wasn't ready to hang up yet as I was waiting for the train and feeling pretty lonely)

Me: What's wrong, you sound tired?

Him: I'm just really tired of other people not doing their job. I end up having to help them even though I finished my work. And I still have 2 projects to do! Sometimes I think it's easier being the one asking for help.

Him: Also my boss asked to speak to me today. He ask me not to be too efficient. He said that this caused the client to ask why is do they need many people in their project and may rethink about hiring us again next year.

How ironic... and there I was, holding my "7th habit of highly effective people" copy...

So there is such things as too much efficiency

I have a dear friend who is well known for his efficiency, both at work and at home. Pretty busy guy, working in a top consulting firm getting 5/5 star ranking on his assessment and holding 3 simultaneous projects aside from studying gmat for his MBA.

Today I called him and he was still at work.
Usually pretty talkative person, he surprised me with a heavy and tired voice.

Me: Is everything OK?
Him: It's just been busy at the office, can I call you back later

(I wasn't ready to hang up yet as I was waiting for the train and feeling pretty lonely)

Me: What's wrong, you sound tired?
Him: I'm just really tired of other people not doing their job. I end up having to help them even though I finished mine. And I still have 2 projects to do! Sometimes I think it's easier being the one asking for help.
Me: Oh really?
Him: Also my boss asked to speak to me today. He ask me not to be too efficient. He said that this cause the client to ask why is do they need many people in their project and may rethink about hiring us again tomorrow.

How ironic... and there I was, holding my "7th habit of highly effective people" copy...