TURN ACCOMPLISHMENT INTO ACHIEVEMENT

Far too often people focus on how their day starts, how their task is being accomplished or what must be done first RATHER THAN thinking about how their day could/should end, what progress might be made towards the resolution of an issue or a situation or what must be finished in order to consider an assignment complete.  We focus on the path that must be taken rather than upon the end that must be reached – on how quickly we can start and what kind of “pace” we should maintain to complete each “race” we run within a defined and acceptable time period rather than focusing all of our efforts and energies so that we might be able to run a strong race and have energy as we near the finish to seek other opportunities.  Regardless of how well each individual assignment is performed, one cannot do only what has been assigned and expect to receive more than minimal reward, growth or success.  

Looking back (instead of ahead), remaining content with the present (rather than building upon the present as a springboard to the future), and doing what we know works (as opposed to seeking what might work better) are all signs of stagnation – at work, in our relationships OR in life.  An acorn cannot become an oak tree without the proper environment and adequate nourishment present to feed its future growth.  What kind of a butterfly would a caterpillar become if it were content to crawl rather than seeking to fly?  An individual cannot become “one” with another without caring more for the other than for him or her self.  If one wishes to achieve “the possible” rather than being content to accomplish those things that are “probable,” the race that is run must be built upon a path that transforms “what is” into “what could be.”  In order to achieve great things (rather than to accomplish what is expected) our sights must be firmly focused upon that which has yet to be considered possible – running each race as if it has never before been run and climbing mountains not yet conquered – rather than being content to perform those things that have been tried, tested and found to be safe while seeking to avoid (rather than learn from) failure.  In order to focus on the ends (rather than being trapped in the means) – to accomplish and achieve (rather than simply to perform and comply) – one must continually and intentionally strive to:

 ·         Clarify the difference between efficiency with effectiveness.  Efficient individuals make sure that every investment of time and/or energy has a direct and measurable impact – either in their own life or in the life of another.  They rarely waste time or energy doing unnecessary things that “could be done or might be nice” but are not needed in order to accomplish their objectives.  Effective individuals are focused – accomplishing things that need doing in order to move forward – in the most efficient and impactful way imaginable.  Effective individuals accomplish all things well as they advance their cause or move them towards the accomplishment of defined objectives – often accomplishing ONLY their objective – often quickly but not always in the most streamlined or efficient way possible.  An efficient individual may tell others what to do then get out of the way – coordinating actions and monitoring ideas so that all involved can work in a complimentary fashion towards the accomplishment of goals and objectives with very little wasted effort or activity.  Effective individuals get things done.  Efficient individuals accomplish things with a minimum of wasted effort that results in maximum rewards.

 ·         Stop believing that they are irreplaceable.   If an individual feels that nobody could EVER do what he or she does, that person has probably limited what he or she can accomplish.  When we feel nobody could ever do the things we do as well as we do them ourselves – and accept that as an unwavering paradigm – we become so enamored with our ability to accomplish defined objectives that we fail to identify possible alternative outcomes...we believe that since nobody can do something as well as we do that we cannot abandon the path we are on to pursue other possibilities for fear that the “routine” will not be accomplished (which keeps us from achieving what has not yet been considered).  If nobody else can do (or even wishes to try) your job, then you will never advance beyond the rung of the ladder upon which you have firmly positioned yourself.  If you feel so important in the life of another that you quit trying to discover new adventures, activities or uncharted territory within your relationship you may find comfort and security but fall far short of your potential.

 ·         Quit believing we know all the answers.  People who know the right answers in life often find themselves thrust into management roles – positions that require quick responses and specific directions to individuals charged with accomplishing defined tasks using proven processes.  They often take charge within their relationships by providing others exactly what he or she feels is needed, wanted or desired to create happiness.  MANAGERS can assign tasks, oversee activities and provide security by defining what must be done and how it must be accomplished.  Those that ask the right questions, however, are much more valuable than those who can give all the right answers – often becoming well respected leaders rather than successful managers.  They develop strong relationships because they support others and help them to grow (as individuals) rather than expecting them to accept what they are told, given or provided as being sufficient.  In order to finish each race strongly we must ALWAYS be open to new ideas, techniques, and ways of doing things.  We can truly contribute to success and profitability – or experience all that life could offer – ONLY after identifying the limitations of current systems, policies, practices and procedures (or the weaknesses and “fatal flaws” within relationships) by asking questions as to how they might be improved then intentionally acting to implement acceptable change.  Nothing will change, however, until we decide to act – to move forward by implementing the answers received of the questions we asked (rather than doing things as we have always done them because we think we know all the answers ourselves).

 ·         ALWAYS give credit to others (when deserved) and accept responsibility for “learning experiences” (even when blame could be shared).  People recognizing and acknowledging the ideas and actions of others tend to share a never-ending ride to the top – enjoying a seemingly unlimited potential “upside” while minimizing (but not eliminating)  their individual risk.  When failure is truly viewed as a learning opportunity, those that achieve great things will never quit learning because unless we experience shortcomings, disappointment and “dead ends” in life we will probably never achieve much beyond what others have accomplished.  Unless we care more for others than we do ourselves we will never taste the fullness that a life-changing relationship can provide.  Those that take credit for the ideas of others (and assign blame for failure or shift focus to deflect accountability) may manage the accomplishment of defined objectives or live within the “comfort” of a relationship but may never experience the camaraderie found through supportive friends, strong relationships or peers that might prop them up in the future. 

 ·         Add to our existing abilities and upgrade outdated skills, refusing to accept “what is” as a destination and “what has always been” as an infallible truth.  What was once necessary to maintain a life-long job or to enjoy a long-lasting relationship is no longer sufficient in today’s ever-changing world.  Individuals who “fail to know” that a self-serving attitude or “do as I am told” perspective are not the standards of achievement (but could be standards of accomplishment) will also typically fail to grow...those who refuse to retrain (enhancing their skills, abilities and perspectives) typically will not remain (successful, accomplished or respected).  Unless an individual brings more into a relationship than he or she could ever expect it to return – is willing to give to another more than is taken (unconditionally and without expectations) and seeks to gain more by sharing than by receiving, he or she will never realize the treasures awaiting them just beyond their current reality.

Life is not a sprint run within a vacuum – it is a marathon that requires a team of runners relying upon each other for strength, encouragement and support.  Turning individual accomplishment into achievement that impacts many requires more than singular thoughts that initiate personal actions.  We must leverage the abilities of a team having diverse experiences, different perspectives and unique aptitudes to produce the best possible outcomes that will be supported, championed and carried out by all people or stakeholders involved (whether the team is many or few...a group or a relationship) if we wish to achieve great things within a good world.  We must build the foundation upon which we stand (so that we are firmly rooted and grounded in our convictions) as we intentionally choose the paths upon which we will travel (keeping our eyes wide open to avoid unwarranted or unwanted turbulence).  We must be approachable as we acknowledge the abilities of others, allowing (and encouraging) them to learn from their mistakes rather than making them fear and avoid failure.  We must embrace the encouragement of individuals around us to make personal contributions to the resolution of an issue or the enhancement of a relationship, recognizing the importance of their input by giving them appropriate credit (and rewards) when due, allowing them to fail as necessary and encouraging them to “get up” when they fall rather than remaining down. 

 Leaders able to mobilize the thoughts, abilities, capabilities and experiences of those around them accomplish much while achieving objectives not yet imagined while reaching heights not previously considered possible in their work, their relationships and their lives.  Those that choose to operate in ways defined by others, maintain what is already in place and find comfort and sufficiency within relationships that have become routine, stagnant and predictable may accomplish much but often achieve little in life.  When operating under the mantra of seeking to “make a difference” in the lives of others by doing things selflessly and without expectation of anything in return one might find out how much can truly be achieved in life.