There are many ways to do superb work. One approach is to make sure you are switched on rather than sloppy. It is then to follow strategies that work and do your best to achieve success.
There are several definitions for being switched on. These include the following:
To be fully alert … To be aware of what is going on … To be up to date with events and trends.
Different people follow this approach in different situations. Bearing this in mind, however, it often involves focusing on the following themes.
Switched On
Great workers aim to prepare properly before going into a situation. They then switch on, move into action and perform superb work. They take this approach rather than being sloppy or aiming to wing it.
Different people do this when doing different kinds of work. They may be a mentor meeting a client, an actor going on stage or a professional embarking on a doing a specific project.
Such workers use their imagination to look ahead to the situation. They clarify: a) the results to achieve; b) the strategies most likely to work; c) the potential challenges. Some do this by exploring the following themes.
What is the situation I am going into? What is happening in the situation? What are the real results to achieve in the situation? What is the picture of success?
What are the strategies I can follow to do my best to achieve success? How can I translate these into action? What are the possible challenges and how can I manage these successfully?
Great workers rehearse what they are going to do next. Some then take time relax, recentre and refocus. They may then follow their chosen ritual for switching on and moving into action.
Such workers are fully present. They feel alive, alert and use their antennae to be aware of what is happening. They may then focus on the next step.
Strategies That Work
Great workers are switched on in another sense. They aim to study success and do what works in their chosen field. Bearing in mind the results they want to achieve, they often explore the following themes.
Looking back at my positive history, when have I tackled a similar situation successfully? What were the principles I followed? How did I translate these into action? What happened as a result?
When have other people tackled similar situations successfully? What were the principles they followed? How did they translate these into action? What happened as a result?
Looking at the piece of work I want to do, what are the strategies I can follow to increase the chances of success? How can I get some early wins? How can then do my best to achieve the picture of success?
Such workers aim to follow strategies that work and translate these into action. They get some early wins, maintain the momentum and work towards achieving their goals. They then move on to the next stage.
Success
Great workers do their best to achieve the desired results. This involves being switched on in another sense. They need to keep reading reality and seeing what is actually happening.
Such workers do superb work and also focus on continuous improvement. Bearing in mind the results they want to achieve, they often explore the following themes.
What is going well? What are the specific things I am doing well – such as the principles I am following – that will help to achieve the desired results? How can I continue doing these things?
What can I do better – and how – to achieve the desired results? What other actions do I need to take? How can I do my best to achieve the desired results?
Great workers stay switched on when doing a piece of work They are constantly alert to what is happening, what can be built on and what can be improved.
They also buy time to think when faced by challenges. They then clarify: a) the possible ways forwards; b) the pluses and minuses of each option; c) the route they want to follow to tackle the challenge successfully.
Such workers are often good finishers. They keep doing the basics and then, when appropriate, add the brilliance. Sometimes this involves them adding that touch of class to achieve the goals.
There are many ways to do superb work. One approach is to make sure you are switched on rather than sloppy. It is then to follow strategies that work and do your best to achieve success.
Let’s return to your own work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? 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.
Leave a Reply