Yep. There are a range of things i’d like to leave you with in this three-part series.
- Consider your big picture: What are you there to achieve? What are the big outcomes your employer expects you to attain? Focus on these. Mistakes will happen but maintain a focus on the big picture and how you can achieve that. Make sure your double check your key outcomes with your boss so what calibrate your goals with your uplines.
- Work on your rhythms & routines: What are the rhythms and routines you need in your daily work life to achieve those big outcomes? When are you at your best for focused work? The morning? The afternoon? Allocate that time into your work life (as best as you can). Can you have some closed-door time in your work week? You’ll find you get a lot more done without distractions. And how have you organized yourself? Does your time allocations reflect the things you are expected to achieve (from #1 above)? your life caddy will have a blog series on personal management coming soon, but these few ideas will hopefully get you thinking about your work routines and rhythms.
- Build your network: You’ll need some people who understand you, support you and help you make sense of the work situations you find yourself in. This is a critical step. Who could be in your support crew at work? Build those friendships and help and support them. You’ll find in those days when you feel like a klutz they will be invaluable to help you make sense of what is happening and gain some perspective. They understand the personalities and work context you find yourself in. They may feel the same as you!
- Look for improvement, not perfection: It’s time to start gathering data. What is the status of your goals against the big outcomes we discussed in #1? Maintain those key figures each week or month and look for the small incremental improvements. At the end of each month, take some time out and write down the wins you have had in that month. Savor these wins. It will help build your confidence. Perfection will happen with growth. The strength is in the struggle.
- Know you will make mistakes. In Part 1 we learnt to reframe our mistakes with a growth mindset. In Part 2 we learnt the value of a pocket sheet. Mistakes have been reframed. We now recognize the value of mistakes and their capacity to make us better, more effective. There is a great book by John Maxwell ‘Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success’. The title says it all in terms of how this series has sought to reframe your mistakes. Want to dive deeper into this topic? Take a read of Maxwell’s book. Leaders are readers.
- Know yourself: This is the topic of an upcoming blog and is crucial to your growth. What drives you? How are you wired? What has shaped you? A deeper understanding of yourself will not only make you more effective, but also help you understand those around you, your colleagues and uplines. Watch out for these blogs in the coming weeks.
- Reach out: As Craig Groeschel stated, “Admitting that we need help is never weakness, it’s always wisdom” (@craiggroeschel CNLP553). If you feel you are sinking, put your hand up. There is plenty of help out there. . . .
- Seeking professional help in the form of counselling or psychological help can make a significant difference. It can be a good investment in your growth.
- Reach out within your own organization. It’s in their best interest to have you at your best. If you’re struggling, consider what’s accessible at work.
- And feel welcome to share the struggles at your life caddy. Leave a message or subscribe and advise. We’ll keep your anonymity while addressing the situation in a blog. If it’ll help you, it help others.
‘The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to…failure’.
John Maxwell, Failing Forward
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