By Chip Eichelberger
It is easy to become satisfied with good or even very good performance. We feel content living a good life, having a good marriage or achieving good results in business. But very good is the enemy of great, because when you get to "very good," you're still a long way from great. In other words, when your work is very good, it’s just the beginning.
Are you where you thought you would be by this time in your life? Are you at your full earning potential, achieving ongoing distinctions, enjoying the home and lifestyle you desire? If you discover a gap between your current performance and your attainable potential, follow these seven steps to keep from ever being labeled “average” again.
1. Purpose precedes plan.
You need to be very clear on the compelling reasons for you to move toward greatness. Why will you go for it? What are your dreams? Only you can make a decision to change your direction. Do not focus just on what it will cost you if you do not change. Spend more time asking, “what if” you do change. What are all the positive outcomes? Once you know your “why,” then you can create your game plan to get there.
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Very good is the enemy of great, because when you get to "very good," you're still a long way from great. |
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2. Don’t just talk about it; make a commitment to do it.
At the time of this article in 2006, Phil Mickelson is the top money earner in golf with $3,237,992 and a stroke average of 69.40. Steve Flesch is No. 100 with earnings of $326,230 and a stroke average of 71.40. The difference between good and great in professional golf is only two shots a round, yet the difference in earnings is tenfold. Talent plays a role, but the real difference is commitment. Many people want to take their performance to the next level. Unfortunately, their “want-to” and their “will-do” rarely coincide. Commitment is hard. Commitment to greatness is even harder. Adversity and setbacks are a given. Don’t let past satisfaction with “good” weaken your commitment to be “great.”
3. Evaluate small changes that could notably enhance your performance.
Years of experience don’t automatically ensure excellence. Record yourself during interactions with colleagues or clients. Simply state you are trying to improve your communications skills and set the recorder aside. Evaluate yourself from every aspect. Listen to your voice tone and quality. Were you the dispenser of enthusiasm or more like Eeyore? Were you really listening? Are you precise, clear and to the point? Self-evaluation is often a brutal eye-opener. You may not be as “good” or “great” as you thought.
4. Be willing to do the hard work up front.
Consistency comes from discipline, and both are essential as you prepare for greatness. Imagine new ways you can prepare. Instead of just winging it on a sales call, for example, jump on the company website and do some research. Find out who among your colleagues knows the prospect and determine which testimonials will be most effective. The bottom line is, you’re not always going to win, but don't fool yourself about why you didn’t succeed. There is no excuse for lack of preparation.
5. Make the positive choice.
If you’re married, does your spouse have any faults? Are there some things you do not like about your job? When we’re around anything (or anyone) long enough, we tend to take it for granted and see only the negatives. Choose to focus on the positive. Be your own best coach, not your own worst enemy. Praise yourself and others for their positive actions. See what you can learn from a negative situation and then move on.
6. Devote 4 percent of your day to achieving excellence.
Work on a single point of excellence for just one hour a day, every day—or seven of 168 hours a week. Pick an area that you have the most passion for. What gets you excited? What will have the most ripple effect on your life? Taking this small amount of time to improve yourself may be difficult at first, but it’s a gift to others, too.
7. Find and focus.
If you want to hit triple 20 when you play darts, you look at that small inner ring, not the whole dartboard. The prescription for overcoming mediocrity consists of first finding one area to strive for excellence in, and to work diligently at that. One new area of excellence can shift your identity and the image you have of yourself. By doing just one thing very well, you begin to crack the monolith of mediocrity. And then you choose your next step, and the crack grows even wider on your path from very good to great.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Chip Eichelberger is a peak-performance strategist, motivational speaker and author of It Just Might Be You! A sought-after expert in sales and personal development, he has clients that include Marriott, Tommy Hilfiger, ADP, Century 21 and Bank of America. For more information, go to www.GetSwitchedOn.com. Or contact him at 866-224-1393 or Chip@GetSwitchedOn.com.
If you are interested in pursuing personal growth through NAIFA, you may be interested in its Leadership in Life Institute, a program to help you create better, deeper relationships within your clients, association and family. Click here for more information.
JULY 2006
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