Category: Ponderings On Life

Consistently scoring 20+ points in a game.

Consistently working out each day and eating right.

Consistently being prepared for your meetings.

Consistently researching and staying ahead.

Consistently showing up, no matter the convenience or the challenge.

Consistently making time.

Consistently doing the work.

Consistently performing.

“We are what we repeatedly do.”

I’ve found consistency is the hardest thing to master. But the mere concept- obsessing over this is where your focus should be. I didn’t learn this early enough if my life or career- but it’s evident this trait, in almost all aspects of life sets others apart from the rest. We see flashes of greatness and one hit wonders. But consistency what is most highly regarded. No matter your goal or vision- it you just did ‘x’ or repeated ‘y’ consistently, you would see success. The greatest leaders I’ve met and the most successful people I know fundamentally are masters at consistency.

However, it’s the initial break through- forming the needed behaviors (a collection of habits) to be successful is hard. Really hard. The mere thought of it can be stifling.

Why is it hard? Being consistent is more than doing hard work. More than obsessing with the idea of your goal. And it’s more than preaching over and over about that great idea you have. Or showing casually showing interest in something.

It requires commitment.
Sacrifice.
Action(s).
Time-management skills.
And self-discipline.

Got a goal you want to achieve? A skill you want to learn or master?

…what have you sacrificed to get the time you need to achieve it? Do you really need to watch that game/TV show? Give 1 thing up and use that time as your ‘homework’ time.

…are you full committed? Really? Say it out-loud in the mirror each day or write it down that you are all-in. Make it real. Make yourself accountable.

…do you have reminders or mnemonic devices you can put in place to keep you accountable? Markup your calendar. Put post-its on your bathroom mirror. Give yourself ‘minor punishments’ for not following through (like not watching a TV show, or forcing yourself to work late).

…how do you know you’re on your way to achieving your goals? Set lead and lag indicators. Act on those. Don’t overwhelm yourself with the thought of how your going to achieve your BEHAG.

Far to often, we all are looking for that silver-bullet. The easy button. We want a shortcut. But it all starts and ends with consistency. And that’s not easy. It’s a multi-dimensional complex concept you must obsess with. Excellence is not a single act or moment in time- it’s a series of habits. It’s a path of perseverance.

We are in the process of hiring at Digital Evolution Group, so I’ve been sitting in a lot of job interviews. I’ve been listening to people share their stories about their job history and what they do and don’t like about their current position. Now, I won’t attempt to claim I’ve performed hours of research or have extensive experience in analyzing people and their careers (cause i haven’t) …but through some of my own (late night) self-assessments …i’ve reached my own conclusion about people and their jobs, which can be summed up as the “2-of-3 rule”.

My theory behind the “2-of-3 rule” is simple…

As long as a person is happy with 2 of the 3 criteria (listed below), …they will be comfortable and satisfied with their job. However, if things change, in which only 1 of 3 things are being met from these criteria, then a person will leave their job or have extreme dissatisfaction with their career (and over time, eventually will leave).

Here are the 3 criteria for my “2-of-3 rule”:

#1.) Money you earn.
Are you getting paid enough? Every one has an opinion on this. You might be getting paid well, or you might not. Again, this is only 1 of the factors in the 3 part equation.

#2.) People you work with.
Do you enjoy who you work with? Do you really value the people you have to interact with every day (this includes your clients or customers).

#3.) The work you are doing.
Is the work you do each day something that you truly love? Are you a 5PM clock-watcher because you can’t stand what it is you do for work?

Given those 3 criteria, you can test it with different scenarios. I’m willing to bet that if you are satisfied with 2-of-3 of the criteria, you’ll stick with your job (and if you are happy with all 3, then you’re in a great place). Only when you get knocked down to 1-of-3 will you jump ship.

Some examples with the rule applied:

• You might not be making much money, but if you really love your job and the people you’re working with…
• If you making a ton of money and love the work you’re doing, it can be just enough to avoid and deal with the annoying people you work with…
  Try it yourself.

See?

I can’t explain why my “2-of-3 rule” works (i think it applies to everyone). It forces you to break-down the root elements of how satisfied you are with your job.

I could be wrong. Am I? What say you?

I noticed while flying on Frontier Airlines to Boston, every time our airline hostess spoke on the intercom, she would announce and preface everything with, “I’ve got great news” or she would say things like “Guess what, I have something fantastic to tell you”. What she was announcing was standard, the basic safety prompts that are required, like “We are about to take-off so turn off your cellphone” or things like “We are serving drinks now.” But it was amazing to me, just observing the power when she used a simple, positive phrase first …how much of a difference it made. It got my attention.

So it got me to thinking.

I sit in a lot of meetings and situations that required me to present ideas or plans. Within the past year, I made a deliberate effort to remove from my vocabulary and phrases of uncertainty like “I’m not sure if you’ll think this is a good idea…” or “you might not like this idea but…”

…there’s something to be said about giving yourself a chance, by first giving yourself a chance.

Take those same phrases and replace them with ones like, “I have this great idea to tell you” or “I have this great story to tell you.” Or more subtle, “I have something you should consider.”

…see the difference?

Give yourself a chance. Don’t sell yourself short. If you’re leading the conversation with uncertainty, you may think you’re coming across as being humble, but you’re more than likely doing yourself a disservice. Speak with confidence when you are telling a story or presenting an idea. If the way you present your thoughts are uncertain, why should anyone rally behind your idea? In short speak with conviction and enthusiasm, it makes all the difference.

(btw, i couldn’t stop laughing at the Jack Donaghy photo when I found it- i felt it was appropriate for the blog post)