Efficiency is doing job right. Effectiveness is doing right job. Be effective first.

You may need to think this one through a bit. We often spend a lot of time doing something right when we shouldn’t even be doing it at all. I remember during university, I was cleaning my bathroom very efficiently. I even found a contact lens that someone else had lost – before I moved in two years earlier. However, I had final exams next day. I was not making effective use of my time. Effective use would have been to study.

Think about how often you spend a lot of time doing something well when you should be doing something else. Mothers often do this. “Oh, I just have to get dishes done and then I will play.” Or “I have to finish this and then we can go to park.” We get annoyed at our children for interrupting us doing a menial job, when effective use of our time is likely to enjoy our children before they grow up. This doesn’t mean we should live in a messy house but it does mean we need to ask ourselves this question every so often: “Am I being Effective first? Am I doing right job?”

Selecting just right gift is an important way to say you care, and it’s not so difficult as it might appear.

Some people give up before they really get started considering what to buy, because historically their efforts have been frustrating. So dad gets a shirt, a tie, socks, or maybe a book, because they're obvious choices and he hasn't complained about those gifts in past.

But it's rare dad that will even hint that gift is not needed or desired. Most will make something of a fuss over gift and express copious amounts of gratitude. But did he really want another shirt? Maybe. And maybe he even liked style and color. Or maybe he is resigned to getting same range of items for father's day, year after year. Low expectations can temper disappointment.

So who will break cycle of dull, predictable repetition? Looks like it will have to be you! And if you're ready to do so, please realize that you're not taking on a giant challenge. In reality, gift buying for dad has never been easier. Online shopping is safe and secure, fast, and there are enough options to suit any need, interest or taste.

And in those three words -- need, interest, taste -- lies key to your choice, along with always-relevant term, budget. Get those four concepts aligned and you can't go wrong. Three out of four wouldn't be awful either, so long as taste is included in mix.

DAD'S NEEDS

So let's be clear: if a shirt is right gift for dad, then a shirt it should be. But before making any decision, consider these points. First, unless dad relies on you to stock his wardrobe, then clothing should be only one of many options in equation. Second, if you bought clothing more often than not in previous few years it could be time for a change.

So spend a few minutes reflecting on your purchase history. Have you fallen into a rut? Have you been too predictable?

Then consider his range of needs. If you don't have knowledge to do that, get some help from other family members or friends. If he has no needs, then you will have to go with these other three concepts.

DAD'S INTERESTS