Why we satisfice - 2

I am always amazed at the amount of time and anguish some people will devote to completing reports - especially those useless ones required by the state or a central office.

Here's how I look at them:

If there is money involved, I attempt to be as accurate as possible without agonizing. When ever possible, I figure conscientious estimates are enough. I mean, is somebody actually going to come in and recalculate the average age of your science section? Re-measure the square footage of your media center? Really care if you count a set of reference books as one title or three volumes? Sit and monitor the average number of students who visit the media center? I don't think so.

As my dad always said, "A job not worth doing is not worth doing well." Give a good guess and then use your time helping your kids or staff. The world will continue to revolve.

Comments

[CMartin21]

Doug,

I was in the audience when you touched on this topic in a presentation to a group of librarians and teachers several years ago in Fort Worth, TX. I gladly adopted your philosophy and it was such a liberating step! Instead of spending hours on tedious paperwork, I began completing my reports with a 'close enough is good enough' attitude and have saved myself countless hours that I can now spend on students and teachers. Thank you for setting me free from the tyranny of exactness!

[Doug Johnson]

Thanks, Cheryl. Your comment made my day!

Doug