The Productivity Triangle: TIME / MONEY / QUALITY


The BIG THOUGHT in this LITTLE POST:

TIME / MONEY / QUALITY - in the process of producing ANYTHING, you can only have TWO out of THREE of these things at any given time.

Why?

Because CHEAP / FAST / GOOD (a.k.a. MONEY / TIME / QUALITY) don't exist in the same space together. (In fact, it's a direct contradiction).

Why does this matter?

Because in the process of producing ANYTHING, there's always a sacrifice to be made, and we have to decide what that sacrifice will be.

Yes. FOR EVERYTHING.

Example: I'm a writer, and I have an idea for an amazing novel. I'm all fired up about the project, and can't wait to get to work.



OPTION #1
I can work on it part-time, without a deadline, while continuing to work a day-job.

In this option, the cost of producing my novel is TIME.

Writing a novel while also working a day job means it will take longer to write if I want it to be any good.

In this instance, I've prioritized MONEY (because I'm continuing to work while writing) and QUALITY (because I want to produce something worth reading).

The cost is TIME.


OPTION #2
I can quit my day job and work on my novel full-time.

In this option, the cost of producing my novel is MONEY.

Writing a novel full-time without a day-job means that I better have a fat savings account since I've got no source of income.

In this instance, I've prioritized TIME (because the project will get done much faster) and QUALITY (because I'm able to focus intensely and produce better material).

The cost is MONEY.


OPTION #3
I can work on it part-time, with a deadline, while continuing to work a day-job.

In this option, the cost of producing my novel is QUALITY.

Writing a novel while also working a day job - but with a specific deadline - means that due to competing priorities, I'm likely to have to cut corners in order to meet my due date.

In this instance, I've prioritized MONEY (because I'm continuing to work while writing) and TIME (because I want to produce quickly).

The cost is QUALITY.



SUMMARY:

If you don't have TIME (you want it fast) and you want to save MONEY (you want it cheap) then you're going to have to sacrifice QUALITY.

If you want a QUALITY product, but you don't have TIME (you want it fast), you're going to have to sacrifice MONEY (you'll need to pay top dollar to get a skilled person to make a good product fast).

If you want to save MONEY (you want it cheap) but don't want to sacrifice QUALITY, then you're going to have sacrifice TIME (it will take longer to produce).



The question in producing ANYTHING is always "What am I willing to sacrifice?"

Personally, I'm a real stickler for QUALITY. That's always the non-negotiable point of my productivity triangle, which means that for me, it's only ever a choice between sacrificing TIME or MONEY.

Knowing all of this should make your planning process in the production of anything much easier, because the only question you ever need to ask yourself is "What am I willing to sacrifice?"

Once that question is answered and you know which two points of the triangle are your priority, you can plan to produce accordingly.

It's always and only 2 out of 3.

Choose wisely.



*All images in this post were produced by me, the author!

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