Truly great athletes focus on areas that they can improve and make the effort to get better in the off-season. However, there is no off-season in business, and consequently it’s a good time to examine how you can improve in your professional life.
Here are a few areas that can be looked at. Everyone has to find what works best, but think about how you can improve:
Organize better – I’ve got packrat habits formed over years of experience though even with this daily routine I misplace items. To find stuff it can be irritating and time consuming. I’m always adding. Now that we are all online, I have a system. Nevertheless, the same seems to occur frequently although I’m upping my game to organize and reduce frustration. I’m vowing to improve this year.
Reduce or eliminate distractions – Productivity’s number one enemy is interruptions, so by going to bed early I wake up earlier than most and then set aside a period in the morning when it’s quiet to meditate, deep breath, and write my blog.
If early isn’t your thing, then make the effort during each and every day for a short period to not be distracted. Shut off from the outside world’s interruptions, and whatever disturbances so you are unavailable for anything less than an emergency.
Learn more by reading – Many claim that reading books and meeting new people are the two main factors that cause people's life to change. Libraries have countless books, and these can be read on your computer, tablet, or phone. The power of knowledge means the more you know then the more impact you can have in society because you are better prepared. Knowledge is life!
Giving back to society – As a volunteer you always get compensation for your deeds. If you are passionate about a cause for improvement then giving your assistance will not only give the sensation of a feel-good-drug by providing happiness, but a sense of satisfaction will fulfill you. Choose wisely!
Spontaneous deeds are carried out by go-getters who are stimulated by their contribution in helping clean up, or do quick selfless acts to make the world a better place. Anybody can contribute by opening a door or holding it for the next, picking up a can and placing in a bin, or helping another who needs assistance. It doesn’t mean telling people what to do, but rather helping others and our environment.
I recall being in London last winter and seeing a litter bin abandoned in a pond. Some hoodlums had thrown it in and it was waterlogged. Even though it was heavy, I managed to pull it out, empty it, and leave it ready to be used again. What does it cost?
Daily humbleness – As Abel Ferreira would say, everyone should be part of the team. Humility isn’t difficult to practice. It means that you are recognized for your contributions, meaning that others have been involved in your success, and therefore, you are prepared to be involved in theirs. Giving credit where it is due inspires people. Colleagues who participated in a project unquestionably deserve some recognition, and even those who cleaned the toilets are team players too.
Find role models or teachers to learn from. Mentoring can change people’s lives. In other words, mentoring means helping less experienced people observe, experiment and evaluate different ways of doing work to find out which strategies work best. People of all ages can gain from the guidance of a more experienced person. A mentor can help even experienced managers boost their job performance and advance their career.
Set goals and work towards them. Ask any successful businessman, top athlete, or winner what their keys to success are, and you will hear four consistent messages: mental picture (vision), willpower (determination), doggedness (persistence) and setting goals. Set your goals for the next year, for the decade, or for the rest of your life.
Follow your passion. Passion is at the top of the list of the skills you need to excel at whether you’re in sports, sales or any other occupation. When you have passion, you speak with conviction, act with authority and present with zeal. If you don’t have a deep-down, intense, burning desire for what you are doing, there’s no way you’ll be able to work the long, hard hours it takes to become successful.
Have a terrific day!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Source: inspiration from Harvey Mackay a New York best-selling motivational author who says, “The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.”
Vocabulary builder:
Packrat (n) = a ratlike rodent that accumulates a mound of sticks and debris in the nest hole, native to North and Central America.
Ratlike (adj) = resembling or characteristic of a rat
Claim (n) = assert, state as a belief, but it can also be a right, entitlement, prerogative, privilege
Waterlogged (adj) = saturated with or full of water. "The race was called off after parts of the course were found to be waterlogged"
Zeal (n) = enthusiasm, passion, fervor, ardor, keenness, eagerness, (ant) apathy
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