The glory days come with consistency in your work. And, unfortunately, for some of us, we had to be great at being continually inconsistent to learn this precious step towards the right direction; consistency.
I had a tough year (or so it felt) at work where I was working like a fishes fins under water, always on the move, touch and go, long hours,
early mornings, implement, implement, implement. But no results. I was consistent in working hard, but not in producing great results, or
meaningful results.
It took three senior staff members to 'sit me down and talk about my potential' for me to realise that other people were
noticing my lack of consistency. But it was not a lack of consistency, it was a lack of directional effort.
Like a fish, I am already a swimmer (by birth) but how do I become a good swimmer? Swim towards the sharks mouth and try swim away from it as fast as I can when it notices me? I don't think so. Rather, like the fish, stay in your lane, know your 'corners' and use your
strengths to your advantage.
Another great way to glory is subject knowledge. This part takes time, willingness and direction.
Any one can google a subject matter, find results on it and gain some sort of base around a topic, news or industry. This is essential when creating material (content), joining a conversation with the CEO or even making comment in a meeting. You need to have some sort of basis on the subject matter or industry that you work in and client you specialise in.
Here is an example, I work in the education sector and my main focus is rural school development through peer and educator mentoring. If I come across the NDP (national development plan) online and I read through it and cram it in my head, I would have done a wonderful job.
But if I cannot filter and use the relevant information to help direct and further my work, then I have actually not done a good job and have wasted precious brain capacity and time.
So directional efforts are important. It shows that, not only are you trying to become an expert (for 25 years down the line) but also, that you are able to then filter out irrelevant material, or rather, supporting material and focus on impacting material, game changers.
People who are particularly good at this are advertisers. They are able to hone into the right message about a brand with good use of words, colour, imagery and sound, but they are not always good at directing this well.
An example: having an advert placed right before my favourite music video, or motivational speaker begins speaking on Youtube is just very irritating. I have to deal with adverts on TV, and now on Youtube too?
May we, rather, invest that slot with a 'press play' advert on an online magazine or an upgraded MMS to my phone that speaks and answers my queries? #justsuggesting
Remember, to grow you need to learn, to learn you need to be willing and that will is the start of that path towards glory.
Good luck on your designated path towards success.
