Are you working on your life or just in it? Here is the perspective and
method you need to plan and execute the life and career worthy of your
potential.
Too many people whine about not having the life they want. The main
reason people fall short of their own expectations is the same reason most
companies fail to achieve their objectives: poor planning and execution. In
fact, I am amazed at how many successful executives
create strategy for their business, leaving their life to chance. Often it's
more comfortable (note I didn't say easier) to complain and blame outside
factors for lack of accomplishment or unhappiness than to take time to
work on life rather than in it.
I choose otherwise. A close entrepreneur friend, J, and I are taking
our annual four days away to determine our futures and hold each other
accountable. Here are the tips that will assure us of success.
1. Plan a Preferred Future
As Lewis
Carroll said: If you don't know where you are going, then any
road will get you there. Both J and I are close to 50, so our 60th
birthdays are the milestone for this journey. Twelve years is plenty of time to
make course corrections and absorb any external factors thrown at us. Our
planning will be specific and measurable. We'll take time to examine and
discuss the details of every aspect of our lives, personal and professional, to
achieve integrated success and happiness.
2. Be Pragmatic
Neither of us will be playing for the NBA at our age (or my height).
The future has to reflect what is physically possible with available resources
and limitations. Pragmatism isn't in itself restrictive, however; J and I will
harness our creativity to design aspirational futures that exploit every
opportunity and asset we have. We'll also create filters to keep us from
wasting time and energy on what's unachievable or irrelevant.
3. Decide the Who, Not the What
We're defining who we want to be at 60, not what we
want to be doing. The who centers on passion, core competencies, and
core satisfaction, such as material requirements. If I know who I
truly want to be, I can detail what to do, own, resources I need, etc. I can
also determine what not to do, own, etc., focusing time and resources
where required.
4. Be Honest
J and I will challenge each other constantly to get to the truth of who
we are and who we wish to be. There will be no quiet politeness on this trip
(not that I'm capable of it). I can't let J believe his own
stories and rationalizations, causing misdirection and distraction. Warning:
Allowing this dialogue requires intimate knowledge of each other and great
trust. Pick your accountability partners wisely.
5. Consider the Tools Around You, Old and New
Every resource is important. On my old list is Napoleon Hill, who nearly 100 years ago connected creative
visualization to success. And I will also consider new resources like
crowdsourcing. Although I'm a natural skeptic for overhyped Internet trends, my
friend and talented designer Elena Kriegner inspired me with her KickStarter campaign. It's simple, interesting, and elegant
(like her jewelry), which is why it's gaining traction, unlike many others. In
this planning exercise, no resources, new or old, are off the table to achieve
my desired future.
6. Ignore the Naysayers
I live for constructive criticism. But outside perspective that is
baseless conjecture or stems from emotional baggage (think dissatisfied family
or friends) is destructive for achievers. Put these people in a box where they
can't distract you from your ambitions. Find people who get it, and put them in
your corner. Engage them in your preferred future, and help them achieve
theirs.
7. Don't Settle for Mediocrity
Although being the next Steve Jobs or U.S. President is likely off our
agenda (as it should be), J and I both want to be pushed to the limits of our
potential. Too many people settle for what is easy rather than engage their
energy and creativity to create something different and meaningful. Then they wonder
why their work has no significance. I choose to pursue the Awesome Experience.
People who take a reactive approach to growth and development will
suffer the same fate as companies, managers, and employees who let the markets,
technology, and competitors determine their destiny. The game of life rewards
aggressive players who leverage their energy, smarts (note that I didn't
say intelligence), and creativity to determine and obtain the life that
truly makes them happy. As Jim Collins points out in Great by Choice, good and bad luck comes to all; it's how
you plan and execute that determines your return on luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment