Tweet

It's Time to Re-Evaluate

Written by: Michael Beck

Article Overview: Allow me to begin with a discussion of how and why to evaluate things, and then move on to a discussion about either changing occupations or re-inventing yourself and your business. Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you like it!

It's Time to Re-Evaluate

I know an insurance agent in my area who, every time we run into one another, asks me if I have any good ideas as to how to find new clients without actually having to talk to people. This guy is in the wrong business. He needs to re-evaluate his life and decide to either change his attitude or get out of the insurance business. Maybe you’re in that same place right now…

Don’t get me wrong, I’m NOT saying that if you aren’t at the level of success you want to be then you should quit. What I AM saying, however, is that if you aren’t where you want to be in your business, then you need to re-evaluate your business and your life. You need to take a step back from your everyday efforts and gain clarity as to whether you need to start doing things differently or find a different occupation. Allow me to begin with a discussion of how and why to evaluate things, and then move on to a discussion about either changing occupations or re-inventing yourself and your business.

It’s been said that about 65-75% of people are in the wrong kind of occupation for their natural skills! No wonder so many people are either unhappy in their work or achieve only modest levels of success. Let me share my own experience with this concept. I have a VERY analytical background – a couple of engineering degrees and an MBA in finance. Consequently, as you would expect, I spent the first 25+ years of my business career in analytical occupations – engineer, treasurer, controller, Chief Financial Officer, etc. I was very good at what I did, but was always dissatisfied, unfulfilled, or just plain unhappy! No position ever brought me satisfaction. I tried large companies, small companies, and expanded responsibilities. But nothing worked. I was dissatisfied. I made good money. I had some prestigious positions. But I could never get enthused about the work I did. What I eventually came to realize is this: Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you like it!

After lots of reflection and self-examination, I realized that I enjoyed working with people much more than I enjoyed working with numbers! What’s more, I discovered that I was just as good at it! I believe that we all have undiscovered talents. We have abilities that we don’t think we’re very good at or don’t think we have at all. I believe that most people set out to do a good job. I just don’t believe that most people set out to be mediocre. So when I see or hear about someone who just isn’t performing well, I always first evaluate whether they’re using their natural talents in the work that they do. And I suggest you do the same.

One of the problems we have is that we often get completely caught up in our day-to-day routine. This prevents us from stepping back from our work, reflecting on our lives and our business, and reevaluating what we really want to do. My suggestion is to do just that. It is CRITICAL to your success and your happiness to take the time to reflect. When you get away from your office you gain new perspectives.

If you know anything about my philosophies regarding recruiting and prospecting, you already know that I’m a big advocate of getting out of the office. Do yourself a favor. Take a notebook and a book to read (preferably a personal growth or business success book), and go to a coffee shop. It doesn’t matter what you drink or whether you sit inside or outside. What does matter is that you get out of your office and take an hour or so to begin this process. Most everyone I know who does this - who gets out and sits at a coffee shop - reports that by getting away from their everyday environment, sitting down in a very different environment, and placing oneself in the middle of activity, it somehow allows them to focus better and get new insights!

Related Articles
  If You're Fired...
  Love your job
  Effective Goal Setting Steps
  Does your product stink or is it the recession!
  Inundated in Intention

Article Tags: attitude, business career, chief financial officer, engineer, everyday efforts, gain clarity, insurance, insurance agent, insurance business, mba in finance, money, occupation, occupations, prestigious positions, reflection, satisfaction, self examination



Related Forum Posts
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! - We've also expanded the list for Contest and All-Time Leaders. It's great to now see David and Yinka on the All Time list and recognize the contributions they've made to the forums!
No B.S. Time Management - A great book I read on Time Management is No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy.
Books that should be written - [quote:1m0dcpd7]"The Idiots Guide To Sticking With One Thing At A Time and Not Doing Something New All The Time" [/quote:1m0dcpd7] I myself am a 'constructive' procrastinator... I don't know if I'm alone in this. I have about six or seven projects I'm working on at any given time. I get one project almost done... then my interest is piqued by another project and I work on that... I get burnt out and move to another...I know I do this so I have it arranged such that once I get bored or burnt out with one project, I can step right back into project 1 - or 2 or 3, and get that a little bit more done before moving on to something else. As long as you're organized and know where all your reference material/idea sheets are when you're ready to get back to work on each project, it should be fine. I also find that by stepping away from a project - I still work on it in the recesses of my mind so that when I go back to it - it's with some good ideas that I wouldn't have had if I'd continued on with it originally. Maybe I should write a book on how to Procrastinate Constructively... I've actually thought about doing that...because most people procrastinate, don't they...and very few are ever able to stop.
Re: Half of 2011 is gone - It's flying by so quickly! Still have plenty to do that I wanted to have done by now. Time to really step it up!
Re: Alexa Ranking Goals - This is a real juggling act! Time spent promoting my site is time away from developing products and looking after my clients!!


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Work at Home Moms and Their Bad Rap?

Ten Things You Can Do To Be a Better Leader

LEARNING TO HAVE FUN – EVERYDAY!

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.