Why Did It Take 3x Longer Than Expected?

This past weekend, I finally tackled something I’ve been procrastinating for far too long: I bought a standing desk. It’s the adjustable electric kind, letting me switch between sitting and standing—a much-needed solution to combat the back pain from sitting through endless meetings.

I knew it would require assembly, but I didn’t quite grasp the magnitude of the task until an 80-pound box landed on my front porch.

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My husband and I managed to wrestle it inside and upstairs to my office, dodging multiple near-disasters.?

A couple of online reviews had promised it would take one or two hours to assemble, especially with two people, so I’d had the foresight to invite a handy friend to come over and help me out.? (One key to a strong marriage is knowing what kinds of activities are NOT good for you as a couple!)

I figured we’d have it done well before dinner.

That’s when everything started taking 3x longer than it should have.

For starters, there were not one but two confirmed errors in the instruction manual, causing us to backtrack multiple times. By the time my friend left, we’d spent nearly three hours on the project.?

I figured I could finish the last few steps on my own.

Over two more hours later, I was finally done.?

Why did it take so long? Well, among other things:

• I didn’t realize the power cord could go on either side and had put it on the one farthest from the outlet.
• I decided to replace the desk’s feet with the optional wheels, only to realize the increased height made it incompatible with my chair. Cue a full redo of the feet.
• I’d already set up?all my computer equipment and rigged all the wires?before realizing I needed to redo the feet.

Let’s not forget: tipping an 80-pound desk over and back up—gently—is no small feat.

And then there was the real challenge: cleaning out the old desk drawers.

I was already physically tired, but the decision fatigue was what nearly did me in.

• Should I keep this person's business card from 5 years ago?
• Is this pen still good?
• How many varieties of post-it notes do I really need?
• These new drawers are smaller – where will this big thing go?
• One earring? Where’s the match?

Every decision was draining, but I didn’t want to leave the mess for Monday morning, so I powered through.

Why Do Things Take Longer Than They Should?

Looking back, the answer is simple: too often, we don’t ask the right questions (or any) up front, and we make decisions from the wrong place—fear, impatience, or simply not knowing any better.

In hindsight, I could’ve saved myself hours and a lot of frustration if I had:

1. Bought the desk sooner. I’m thrilled with it now, and I could’ve been enjoying these benefits months or even years earlier. Delaying the decision cost me more than time—it cost me comfort, health and efficiency.
2. Learned from others’ experiences. If I’d watched reviews or tutorials from more people who had already been through this, I’d have known what to expect—and avoided several costly missteps.
3. Prepared more thoroughly. Reading the manual carefully and organizing all the parts before starting would’ve saved a lot of trouble.

The process reminded me of a powerful lesson: there’s value in seeking guidance and being proactively planning, whether you’re assembling a desk or navigating a major life transition.

For example, nowadays, career transitions take far longer than most people anticipate. For senior leaders, especially in today’s brutal market, the road to a new role can feel endless.

Whether it’s because the competition is fierce, or you’re unsure what you want to do next, the process can be lonely, frustrating, and full of roadblocks.

Much like my desk assembly, career transitions are smoother when you have the right guidance. Someone who’s been through it before can help you anticipate challenges, avoid missteps, and streamline the journey. They can keep you from making decisions that prolong the process or lead to dead ends.

That’s exactly what we do in my Quantum Leap executive transition coaching program.

Through Quantum Leap, leaders navigate the complexities of finding and landing their next role—one where they can thrive and feel fulfilled.?

It’s not just about tactical strategies like polishing your resume or optimizing your LinkedIn profile. It’s about rethinking

• how you position yourself
• what you want from your career
• how to find opportunities that align with your values and goals
• how to gain access to gate keepers and decision makers
• and how to close the deal you want.

Even better, you’re not navigating the journey alone.?

The program brings together a cohort of senior leaders who are also in transition. They share insights, learn from each other’s experiences, and offer the kind of support you can’t get from reading another article about “networking tips.”

With the right guidance and a supportive community, what seems like an insurmountable challenge can become not just manageable but a much shorter journey that won’t leave you AND your kids saying, “Are we there yet?”

If you’re facing your own career transition, visit Quantum Leap Coaching to learn more and take the first step toward your next leadership role.

Oh, and one last thing—coincidentally, today happens to be "Clean Out Your Desk Day"!

Whether or not you’re in the middle of a career shift, I recommend tackling at least one drawer.?

You never know what you’ll find—or how empowered you’ll feel when it’s done.