SUCCESS@WORK

With the Beijing Olympics gaining momentum, it's hard not to draw a parallel between athletes and professionals, and the uncanny resemblance in their determination to get to the top, to the finish line, while out-seeding the opponent. But, what separates successful professionals and top ranked athletes from the ones at the lower rung?
 
If you aren't already at the top, following simple, obvious practices can make a world of a difference. And, author, James Dale who went from being a copywriter to CEO, shares these rather "obvious" solutions in his new book, The Obvious: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed. The solution is so simple (yet far from hackneyed), you want to kick yourself the minute you are done reading the book.

YOUR 15-POINT GUIDE TO SUCCESS

Go an an ego diet: Cut "I", "Me", "My", and "Mine" out of your vocabulary. The best way to look out for you is to look out for everybody else. If they survive, you survive.

Listen. Then Hear: Once, it's quiet, open your ears. Listen to the words, the volume, the inflection, nuance, whispers, emotion, pauses, and even repetition. The people presenting the problems are trying to give you the answers. Let them.

It is about everything but you: Concentrate on what does matter: Results. After you've made your quotas, help somebody else make theirs. Help young hires find their way. Stay late and rewrite presentations. Don't try to be a hero. Be a problem-solver.

Ahem. Pay Attention: Most of us spend most of our work time, distracted. A fly. Music. Daydreams. Cell phones. Plans tonight. An itch. Car alarms. This job is stupid. Office gossip. More meetings. Pay attention most of the time, and you'll accomplish a lot in just one day.

Throw out your mental trash: Throw out mental garbage why things can't be done, why can't the deadline be moved up, why can't the system be made faster or slower. Get rid of assumptions that aren't facts, conclusions based on prejudgment, knee-jerk "nos". How? Look at each item gathering dust or reason that stands in the way of accomplishing your next work task,  and whether you'd really miss it if it wasn't there in the future. Now, attack the task, and you'll be amazed at the innovative answers you'll find. Clean out your mind. Make mental room.

Extra long is for suits, not meetings: Kill meetings. There's even scientific proof that too many meetings can be counter-productive. If you have to have a meeting, make it short — take longer to prepare, write an agenda with an objective, the points you need to make to accomplish it, the questions you
should answer.

Whatever you think, think the opposite: Try a mind opening exercise. Think of a simple, daily situation. How would you normally react? Now consider the exact opposite way of dealing with it. The process will open up a whole new spectrum of ideas.

Consistency beats a hot streak every time: Show up, make your calls, be there for your clients, deliver what you promised, make your numbers, set high standards, and meet them. Be relentless. Be unwavering. Build a reputation. Build a track record.

Most things aren't as serious as they seem (but some are): Yesterday's meeting made for the worst day you ever had. The production line shut down and all deadlines will be missed. The President yelled at you. These are not tragedies. They are business problems. Give yourself a daily reality check. It's not life and death; it's only business.

Don't keep score: How much do you make? How old were you when you became partner? What's your title? How big is your office? How many windows? How many voicemails do you get? How often does your cell phone buzz? How many emails a day? How often do headhunters call? Who cares! Try to derive your satisfaction from the work you do, doing it well, nurturing talent, building a company, from your integrity.

Envy is ugly, grudges are stupid: Successful people don't get ahead by wanting somebody else's job title, the corner office, company car or market-share. They get ahead by doing more and doing it better. Grudges are another waste of good energy. This is energy that can be spent pursuing an accomplishment, rather than revenge.

Obsessive-compulsive isn't all bad: No matter how small or routine, details can make or break success.
Imagine you worked for you: Is it a terrifying thought? Would you demand a transfer? Be tough; don't be unfair. Be challenging, even stubborn.

Promote someone who isn't ready: If you are worrying about promoting someone who is too "young" for the job, rethink. Too young for what? Does age have an IQ? Or is she/he a threat to the older employees who didn't get the job? Go with talent. If she/he lacks maturity, guide her/him.

Trust someone besides yourself: Only I can do it. Oh, how important we are! You do your job well, but you maybe holding your company back by doing it all yourself. Trust your second-in command. Trust your assistant. Trust your team.

Woody Allen once said: "80% of success is showing up" Just being there, day after day, doing your work, not being distracted or discouraged — that's how you get good at what you do, and better than anyone else. Most people don't show up, either physically or mentally. They get bored or tired, and eventually give up, quit or just go through the motions. 

An excuse is not a reason

No one really wants to hear about why you didn't do what you said you do.

Excuses that don't cut it:
The unders: Under-staffed, under-financed, under-stocked
The overs: Over-worked, over-leveraged, over-priced
The bads: Bad vendors, bad PR, bad boss, bad client, bad morale, bad debts, bad advice
The nos: No budget controls, no business plan, no contingency plan
The changes: Competition changed, market changed, economy changed
The personals: Flat tire, broken alarm clock, car pool missed, lost calendar, leaky pen, tooth/stomach/head/back ache
The moderns: Server crashed, computer virus, spam, bad cell service, GPS/Palm Pilot/Blackberry malfunction

Want to keep this on your desk?
Pick up The Obvious: Everything You Need To Know To Succeed by James Dale for Rs 250. Available at Oxford Bookstore, Churchgate