There are nine things you can do instantly that are easy unless you’ve had a hard time with them in the past.
Pick one or two habits that give you trouble and begin improving your performance. Many of the people you interact with do not put in the effort, even though it is relatively easy and cost-free to complete the actions on this list. And that’s how you become outstanding. Your behaviors, consistently executed, bring a refreshing change that people make a note of and appreciate.
- Be prepared – Know your stuff. Anticipate problems and bring the tools you need to be successful. If something goes awry, you’ll be calm and ready with a possible solution.
- Be positive – Look for positive acts conspiring in your favor. What you seek is what you’ll see. Find optimism; negative Nelly’s seldom light up the room they enter.
- Be considerate – When you are kind and empathetic, you are less “me-focused.”
- Be grateful – Appreciate everything. Everything. It’s all a gift and the luck of the draw. Some people dream about the experiences you currently have. Honor them by being grateful in the present.
- Be on time – Professionals and courteous people are on time. As fun as you think your self-described spontaneity and flexibility may be, it does not inspire confidence or trust.
- Work hard – Discipline, habits, repetition, improvement are all important. Put in the effort and do the work instead of wishing it into existence.
- Do something extra – Follow the baker’s dozen and throw in a little extra. Provide a touch more than was expected, every time.
- Own your mistakes – When you goof, fess up, make amends, and move on without dwelling.
- Always grow – Recognize you don’t have all the answers and be thrilled by the prospect of learning something new. Challenge yourself to get better.
Final hint, protect your boundaries. Once you begin to become proficient in a few of these areas, keep your standards high. Do not allow other people, colleagues, family members, friends, to pull you back down with their influence, ignorance, or peer pressure. If anything, help them to adopt these habits.
Grade yourself, one to five, in each area and continuously work toward improving your average.
_____ Are you prepared?
_____ Are you positive?
_____ Are you considerate?
_____ Are you grateful?
_____ Are you on time?
_____ Are you working hard?
_____ Are you doing something extra?
_____ Are you owning your mistakes?
_____ Are you always growing?
_____ Sub Total
_____ Divide by 9
_____ Average
Also published on Medium.