Know what you’re good at.
You have expertise, abilities and skills.
Know your strengths.
Sure, be ready to grow and challenge yourself.
But also know your limits.
There are things you don’t do so well.
Things you have no competency for.
Or you simply hate doing.
Or will take you forever to do.
Sure, you can take on this sort of challenge too.
But it is likely to end badly.
It just may not be in your wheelhouse.
“Do thine own work, and know thyself.” – Plato
No more procrastinating.
The internet has been surfed.
The fridge opened and closed repeatedly.
Social media checked.
Useless tasks … completed.
Clothes washed … dried … and folded.
Unhealthy snacks in the cupboard … eaten.
Useless errands … done.
Internet surfed again.
Fridge opened and closed several more times.
Social media repeatedly checked.
Until you can delay no more.
Postponing any longer is not an option.
Action outweighs inaction.
Procrastination … check!
Now it’s time to get on with it.
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” – Abraham Lincoln
Can it be better?
How about taking another look?
At that process you know can be streamlined.
Or the update you’ve been putting off.
The workaround because it didn’t work the first time.
That small change that would simplify.
The workspace that can be reorganised.
That thing you know will give out soon.
The outdated method no longer adding value.
That way you have always done it before.
The routine that worked but is now hindering.
That process to get around the process.
The new gadget* that would save you time.
(* insert either tool, app, system, software or assistant.)
If better is possible, then the better possible outcome is to do it now.
The proposal has been endorsed.
The tender was selected.
The presentation was successful.
The scope has been given the go ahead.
The pitch was met with approval.
The project plan has been authorised.
The contract is signed.
The design has been accepted.
The review is sanctioned.
The permission has been granted.
The stakeholders have agreed.
You’ve been given the okay.
You have worked hard to get it across the line.
Now the real work starts.
Change is a constant.
It can be constantly tiring.
Mentally and physically.
Particularly if always reacting to change.
Being uncertain and not in control.
What happens when there is no more excitement left?
No more optimism.
A sense of frustration.
A decrease in commitment.
How do you reenergise and reinvigorate?
Re-establish where you are going.
Reiterate the priorities.
Reclarify roles and responsibilities.
Resource effectively.
Reopen the lines of communication.
Reboot and refocus.
Ready?
“Nothing endures but change.” – Heraclitus
The die is cast.
The stage is set.
The wheels are in motion.
The trigger pulled.
The course of action committed.
It cannot be undone.
There is no going back.
The only way is forward.
It’s going to happen.
You better be ready.
Miscommunication…
Misunderstanding…
Misinterpretation…
Mispronunciation…
Misapprehension…
Misconfiguration…
Miscomprehend…
Miscorrelation…
Misperception…
Misattributed…
Misinformed…
Misconstrue…
Misadjusted…
Misdirected…
Misquoted…
Misconvey…
Misguided…
Misjudged…
Mishandle…
Mistimed…
Misbelief…
Mistaken…
Mistreat…
Mistrust…
Misread…
Misled…
… missed opportunity.
The vision is clear.
The plan needs to be flexible.
The outcome is defined.
How you get there is flexible.
This is the starting point.
You must be flexible from here.
A result is required
The timing can be flexible.
You could be unyieldingly right.
Or more effectively flexible.
It might be suitable for a few.
Being flexible suits more.
The future is unpredictable.
Be flexible with what it might throw at you.
You will do whatever it takes.
Which may require you to be flexible.
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” – Anthony Robbins
The unexpected will happen.
Technology will let you down.
The flight will be delayed.
The meeting will be postponed.
The meeting will be brought forward.
The car will break-down.
The backup will fail.
The phone call that upends your day.
The sudden rain shower.
They thought you did it already.
You thought they had done it.
The unanticipated question.
People will not show.
The delivery will be late.
The information will be wrong.
The unexpected will happen.
It’s how you handle it that matters.
The professional has competence.
The amateur is developing competence.
The professional displays skills.
The amateur is working on their skills.
The professional demonstrates reliability.
The amateur is proving they are reliable.
The professional has earned respect.
The amateur is building respect.
The professional has credibility.
The amateur is credible.
The professional presents well to others.
The amateur is perfecting their presentation.
The professional is characterised, well, as a professional.
The amateur is not.
You have to start almost anything as an amateur.
That doesn’t mean you have to stay there.