There are many ways to do fine work. One approach involves a person having a positive attitude. It then involves them focusing on the themes of their potential, professionalism and peak performances.
Different people follow this approach in different ways. Let’s explore how they may translate it into action.
Positive Attitude
People who aim to make full use of their potential are often positive realists. They have a positive attitude but, at the same time, are also good at reading reality.
Such people love to set positive goals, follow the principles they believe in and perform superb work. They then do their best to achieve their picture of success.
They are often proactive. They love to plan ahead and have a ‘can do’ attitude. They focus on what they can control in their life and work, however, rather than the things they can’t control.
Some people who take this approach want to serve something greater than themselves. They may aim to follow a spiritual faith, a personal philosophy or a sense of vocation.
They love to follow the principles they believe. They often aim to do this one day at a time, however, and continue to enjoy the journey towards their longer-term goals.
Such people want to do their best in life but they also have a sense of perspective. They recognise that they are small in the great sweep of history.
They don’t see themselves as important. But they believe the way they behave is important, however, because their actions can affect other people.
They are often lifelong learners. They see themselves as lifetime students who can continue to learn and improve. They may then use this learning to encourage other people.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Imagine that you want to continue to maintain a positive attitude. How can you do this in your own way? What may be the benefits for yourself and other people?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
Potential
People who aim to do their best recognise that the word potential means just that – it does not mean they actually fulfilling it. It refers to their strengths and the potential ways they can apply these in the future.
Many people pursue their potential to shape their lives or work. But not all of them take this approach. One coach described this in the following way.
“Some people apply their strengths to perform superb work and achieve certain goals. Some do not know how to build on their strengths or are not prepared to do what is required to reach certain goals.”
Imagine that you want to focus on your potential. There are many ways to clarify what you may be able to work towards in the future. One approach is to explore the following questions.
What are the specific activities where I have the ability to deliver peak performances? When am I in my element – at ease yet able to excel? What are the activities where I can deliver As rather than Bs or Cs?
What are the activities that give me positive energy where I also perform superb work? What are those where I have the drive and the discipline to deliver the goods?
What are those where I do what I believe in, do the basics and, when appropriate, add the brilliance? What are those where I have a sense of purpose, follow my principles and achieve the picture of success?
Imagine that you have described one of the specific activities where you may be able to deliver peak performances.
What are the reasons why you believe you may be able to do this? When have you been able to follow elements of this approach in the past? How could you follow similar principles in the future? If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme.
Professionalism
People who aim to pursue their potential often translate this into working towards certain goals. They then deliver consistently high professional standards on the way towards achieving their aims.
Different people do this in different ways. Much depends, of course, on the kind of work they do. Whatever route they follow, however, they aim to follow the strategies most likely to deliver success.
Imagine that you want to take this step in your own way. One approach is to explore the following themes.
How can I work towards fulfilling my potential? Bearing in mind my strengths, what is the specific activity I want to pursue? How can I translate this into working towards a specific goal?
What is the goal I want to focus on? Looking at this aim, what are the real results I want to achieve? What is the picture of success? What will be the benefits of achieving this goals?
What are the strategies I can follow to give myself the greatest chance of success? How can I translate these into a clear action plan? How can I get some quick successes?
How can I continue to follow these strategies? How can I maintain good habits and deliver high professional standards? How can I anticipate and manage challenges along the way?
How can I focus on continuous improvement? How can I build on what is working? How can I tackle areas for improvement? How can I implement these ideas and perform superb quality work?
Imagine that you are building on your strengths and focusing on a specific activity where you aim to deliver high professional standards. How can you do this in your own way?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
Peak Performances
People who pursue their potential often focus on a specific activity where they can do superb work. They then aim to become the best they can be and deliver peak performances.
An educator may pass on knowledge and help students to shape a positive future. An athlete may improve their personal best. An artist may do work that gives people positive memories for life.
Imagine that you want to follow this approach in your own way. Bearing in mind the piece of work you want to do, one approach is to learn from your positive history. It is to explore the following themes.
When have I achieved a similar goal successfully? What did I do right then? What were the principles I followed? How did I translate these into action?
How can I follow similar principles to tackle the present piece of work? How can I be super professional plus maybe add that touch of class? How can I do my best to achieve peak performance?
There are many ways to work towards fulfilling your potential, but this may continue to be a lifetime adventure. It is therefore important to enjoy the journey as well as reaching certain goals.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Imagine that you are continuing to have a positive attitude, pursuing a specific activity and being professional. How can you then do your best to deliver peak performances?
If you wish, try tackling the final exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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