What Is Your Why?

Many people think that they cannot get a job they want because they are not good enough or smart enough to achieve it. And still others believe that there is no direct link to what you know that can compensate for who you know. I think that there is a little truth to both, but I think mostly I know that you cannot be a true success without knowing why you do whatever it is that you do in life.

OPENING THE DOOR
Giving yourself some credit in your life is the starting point for most people who are struggling with their present work or life situations. How do you know when you are good enough for a job or task? The answer is simple. When you have done the task, you can evaluate how good or bad you are at that task -- not before. Too many people are so afraid to fail that they never try. And still others are so afraid to try again after they fail that they will never succeed to the heights of their talent. Talent is wasted when you choose not to try for fear of "getting the door slammed in your face" in all you do.

GETTING THE RIGHT SKILLS

If you ride your bicycle the first time, and you fall, you get back on and keep trying. As a child, there is no question about this type of effort. And no one laughs at you if you keep trying. Persistence gets the better of talent in almost every way nearly every time! There is no better way to get the skills you need at work or in life than to practice every day, and try new ways every day. Don't care if there is something you can't do today because, with some practice, you will eventually be able to do it. When I saw a licensed Architect -- who was born with no arms -- draw with his feet, I knew that nothing was impossible given the right motivation and determination.

GETTING OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY

Many people put so much pressure on themselves to get the 100% right solution on their work the first time! You should always shoot for 100%, but there are many times when getting the ball moving on a project is more important than having all the pieces fit together perfectly the first time. Allow yourself to fail, and keep trying. More importantly, get used to constantly improving your performance daily. And help others around you improve their performance as well. When you are helping to lead small changes towards a common goal, you will find that you are the one getting the support of the team and that you are the one who will get the tough jobs so that you can really make a difference. Helping yourself improve will allow you to get out of your own way and will guide others by your example to step out of their own way as well. That is when a culture of improvement becomes the norm and your work (or life) starts to really pick up.

DEFINING SUCCESS
If you don't define your own standards, you will never be successful in your own mind. You may be the President of the United States, but if you are looking to rule the World, then you will always consider yourself a failure. Be realistic as well as visionary. Take one step at a time, and celebrate the small achievements along the way, then you can succeed. Success only comes if you let it. It must be a defined state for you (as detailed as possible) that you can share with those around you in order to strive towards it. If you don't have any goal in mind, it is hard to consider any success a REAL accomplishment.

FINDING YOUR "WHY"

After having two sons, I know why I try so hard at work and at home to be the solution finder. It is because I want to be a good role model for my wife, sons, and friends. I want to be a positive contributor at work and at home so that I can feel good about myself, and I can help others feel good about their successes as well. I want to BE the solution. I want to be the EXAMPLE. I believe that there is no other way to lead. Finding what it is that makes me want to try the hardest is my "WHY". It is why I do everything I do in life. You can only be passionate about your work if you know WHY you are doing it. If you find your work trivial, you will never feel a sense of accomplishment no matter what you do.