Defining Be Professionally Better
8 Descriptions of the Average Professional’s Day
Most people feel the strongest area for them is professionally. But here’s a question: are they measuring the right things to make this actually a true statement?
I’ve been the guy who was busy but not productive. I wasted SO much energy reacting to my day and getting everything done for everyone else but not my own work. I was frustrated, drained, and ultimately unproductive. But I was sure was busy.
But then things started to change when I decided to escape my own average and get serious about planning and productivity. And oh have things changed!
The second of the three key areas of Escaping Your Average and Embracing Better is the professional side of your life.
Your Mind = Your Mental World. Not everyone sees it but they do see your results. And often, that’s exactly the difference maker between success and mediocrity. Here is the symbol for Be Professionally Better moving forward:
Ironically, most people truly believe they are much better in this area than they actually are which is easily proven by their results (or possibly the lack thereof).
But even then, most people prefer the comfort of not changing and getting the same results.
Here are 8 Descriptions of the Average Professional’s Day:
- Show up and just begin
- React to whatever just appears
- Drop everything for anything urgent
- Bounce from task to task
- Never really finish anything or its completed poorly
- Waste time due to overwhelm or lack of engagement
- Feel busy all day but not necessarily productive
- Feel exhausted and NOT looking forward to tomorrow
It doesn’t take long to uncover the lack of planning and productivity in one’s day let alone their life.
But why live this way? Why regret how you spent your time and what little was accomplished? There is another way.
Be Professionally Better consists of two main categories. Each one is directly affected by the other and is the strongest when both are working together. And when done effectively, can provide exponential results. What are the two categories?
- Planning
- Productivity
Every Wednesday I will be writing on one or the other of these critically important subjects. One Wednesday will be a planning focus. The other Wednesday will be a productivity focus.
Reflective Question…
Are these areas that you feel you need improvement in your life? If you planned more, would you be able to not only accomplish more, but actually the things that are truly important and game changers to your success?
John Pierpont Morgan once said, “The first step in getting somewhere is to decide you are not going to stay where you are.”
Here’s the point: You must make this decision to grow in the professional area of planning and productivity.
And are you busy or productive? I find that is one of the biggest misnomers or lies that need to be exposed. Busy does NOT equal productivity.
Good analogy by Alfred A. Montapert: “Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make progress.
[tweetthis remove_twitter_handles=”true” remove_url=”true” remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]Don’t confuse busy & motion with productivity & progress. Once this is grasped, growth is right around the corner & there for the taking.[/tweetthis]Yet I find this is one of the largest poser areas of busy professionals. We want to appear successful and it’s hard for us to truly admit we need to improve in this result-oriented area.
But the motivated professional will learn from anyone and anything to grow especially in planning and productivity.
Once I personally chose this learning mindset, I came across SO much information that offered immediate relief and ultimate improvement.
I hope to shorten your journey in this area by educating, challenging, and motivating you in the professional area of your life. Remember, these are areas that only you can personally change and control.
Your average may be better than most people, but is it good enough for you?
Truly motivated professionals will be honest with that answer and make the necessary changes to grow and excel. Will that be true of you?
KEY ACTION ITEM:
Commit to learning and being willing to change in this area. Read and apply the action items in each post under becoming professionally better.
KEY QUESTION:
Are you busy or productive right now in your life?