Are distractions getting the better of you?
Entertainment is important, but only in small doses. In fact, I suggest you use a teaspoon to measure the dosages.
From the day we’re born, distractions are fed into our psyche as means of keeping us “busy”. But, then we fall into the trap of doing what’s absolutely necessary (College, Work, Cooking, Washing, Cleaning etc) and then delightfully sinking into our Sofas of familiarity.
Sadly, that’s precisely why most people don’t get ahead in life. If you keep a close eye on the Guy or Gal who snatches up one promotion after another at your workplace, you’ll notice that they’ve made it a habit of showing up early, working their little buns off all day long and even finishing much later than expected. And if that wasn’t disgusting enough, they are also despicably loyal to their Bosses.
But, if you look at that from another perspective, aren’t those the exact traits that you would look for when hiring a Nanny? I mean, can you imagine hiring someone who drops everything as soon as the clock strikes midnight and dashes out the door, even if they were in the middle of changing the Baby’s diapers?
So, the extra mile is always where the advantage is. It’s where you find that big stack of Carrots and Gold slabs.
And, if you resist the temptation and cultivate the habit of tiptoeing around your Sofa, Television, and Gaming Console and head straight over to your Home Office or Library to clock some extra productivity, you’ll soon be standing in the Winner’s Circle, with all the legendary people who have gone before you.
So, where do you start?
If you’re currently working for someone else, you can use that extra time to familiarize yourself with Company Policies, various Job Role Criteria, Company Training Programs or just stick around to help your Boss out with one of his/her time sensitive projects.
And if you work for yourself, you can pour that extra time into more Personal and Professional Development, making a few extra prospecting calls or to strategize ways of enhancing your Company’s profitability, service, reach or productivity
Now, if you’re someone looking to start your own Business, you can use that extra time to:
1. Cultivate your Communication and Body Language Skills further – The way that a CEO of a Company addresses their Colleagues and Subordinates is significantly different to how two Employees talk to each other in the Lunch Room. The great divide is even more apparent in their Body Language cues and gestures.
2. Brainstorm Business Strategy – Grab hold of that idea that’s been rattling around in your head for months (if not years). Then map out what needs to be done in order to bring that vision to fruition.
Identifying the elements of your vision and the skill requirements is the first step. You can then determine which tasks can be outsourced and which ones are mission critical and may require your thumbprint
3. Cultivate the necessary Business Skills – Once you have identified your mission critical skills, pour your heart into acquiring those skills (ideally with the help of a Mentor whose been there and done that).
