Keep working smart, not hard.
It's all too easy to get caught up on the treadmill of life - doing, doing and doing. Whilst I'm a believer in the power of action, too much doing, especially doing of the responsive kind, can be our downfall.
If we are to be successful in achieving our goals, we need to work ON our business, not in it.' Working ON our business, including the business of life, is about stepping back from endless activity to see the bigger picture. Working ON our business is about having a strategic perspective, and then applying ourselves to that, and that alone. This applies to management and staff alike. Everyone needs to be thinking strategic.
The word strategy was given birth on the battlefields where it referred to the movement of troops and resources to create a set of preferred conditions against the enemy. It also refers to the execution of a plan.
This immediately informs us that doing things that are not 'on plan' is not strategic, and spending time on these will draw you into the battlefields, instead of being the general who plots and plans and orchestrates the moves from a safe distance.
Mental images of battlefield tactics pop into our minds without effort, but what resources does the man in the street command? Plenty! the number of hours you have in your day; the thoughts you think; the actions you take; the knowledge you hold; and the feelings you experience - all are resources. Working ON your life is about mobilising these resources in line with your business, and life plan. You should not be so busy thinking that you loose sight of what knowledge you need, nor should you be so busy doing, that you loose sight of your ultimate objectives. Winning the battle does not guarantee winning the war.
We work ON our business when we choose activities that further our goals, business or personal, and turn away from others that don't. And whether you enjoy saying 'no' to people or not, if you are to achieve success, NO has got to become part of your vocab. And isn't it interesting that the word NO has the same letters as the word ON, only in a different sequence? Both are part of working ON your life.
Working in your life is shopping, cleaning and watching TV. Working ON your life is about courses, therapy and reading. Working in your marriage is taking the garbage out, overseeing the children's homework and mowing the lawn. Working ON your marriage is about honesty, time alone in open communications and planning a second honeymoon. Working in your job is staying late in the office to get up to date with your paperwork. Working ON your job is about taking a night study course and reading business books. Working in your business is about being too busy to pass the time of day with your colleagues. Working ON your business is about networking at the golf club or business breakfast.
Ultimately every activity can be classified as either ON or in. Get smart this week. Flip the success switch to the ON position through strategic action that works on your life, not in it.
© Catherine M Glennie
