Just Interested Or Invested?
Most people tend to be somewhat interested in what they do.
At the very least, people are usually interested enough to show up and go through the motions of doing the fundamental tasks that are expected of them. In many jobs, that is pretty easy to do. Still, there invariably are some people who aren't even interested enough in their jobs to do that! Hopefully, most of those people are relocated by their companies into the ranks of the unemployed. Unfortunately, even that doesn't happen nearly often enough.
As high achievers, you and I know all too well that many marginally adequate people show just enough interest and exert barely enough effort to get by. These are the people who make our lives less enjoyable and our jobs tougher by whining, complaining, and blaming others for their own shortcomings and failures.
Thankfully, there are other, more productive, employees who are genuinely interested in what they do, and perform their jobs well enough to be assets to their companies. These people make our environment more pleasurable and our efforts more effective. Rarely, however, do these fine folks reverberate with the intensity, passion, and vision that leads to inspiring performance and high achievement. They are interested, but not really invested in what they do.
On the other hand, pacesetters, record-holders, and high achievers in all areas of endeavor are truly invested in being the best they can be, and having something worthwhile to show for it. Ministers have more devoted parishioners, physicians save more lives and have healthier patients, and educators produce more capable and responsible citizens.
In our worthy Professions of Sales and Management, high achievement results in greater revenue and more fully developed territories and people. The most compelling success stories are invariably written by committed leaders who are more than just interested in their careers. They are truly and deeply invested in improving their skills and results.
Here are some ideas that may help you measure how passionately you invest in your life and your career:
When was the last time you…
- Read a book on how to improve your sales career? Implemented a personal Action Plan based on the book?
- Listened to a tape or CD on this topic? Changed your behavior based on what you heard?
- Attended a leader-led seminar? Applied what you learned?
- Met with a group of like professionals to share ideas on how to get better? Did something with the ideas you heard?
- Asked to meet with your leader to find out where you stood and how you could improve?
- Arranged to be professionally coached to improve your performance?
- Reevaluated how you dress and appear under today's standards? Are you current?
- Had a physical? Exercised and ate properly for a full year?
- Participated in a retreat that allowed your to improve your education and/or regenerate your spirit?
- Added up how much of your own money you are investing each year to get better at what you do so you can achieve your goals and realize your dreams? How much was it? Was it at least five to 10 percent of your annual earnings?
- Sat down with the most important person, or people, in your life and talked seriously about the future you are building together? Changed your plans, priorities, commitments, activities and behaviors to provide what all of you really want and deserve?
Dear Reader, these are just some of the many things I personally know of that high achievers do who are truly invested in their success. I hope they will give you some ideas about how to invest your own time and resources more effectively.
More importantly, I hope you will add your own ideas to this list, and -
• Select the specific activities you are willing to commit to perform over the next month, quarter, six months, or year, then -
• Invest your time and energy without reservation into these activities and immerse yourself totally into achieving the level of performance and success that you are capable of.
Mike Stewart, CSP
Stewart & Stewart, Inc.
Sales Boosters™
Sales Selection, Training, Management and Motivation
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