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Carpe Diem

Guest post by: Betty Penny

Article Overview: The value of getting the most from every day as if it were new beginning is very fundamental and most of us have learned to do that in our private lives. Similar rewards and even financial gain are possible, however, the same approach should be adopted in your business and professional life.

Carpe Diem

In the movieThe Dead Poet’s Society, Robin Williams played an energetic and inspiring teacher who taught his students that, if nothing else, they must learn to seize the day (Carpe diem).

The value of getting the most from every day as if it were new beginning is very fundamental and most of us have learned to do that in our private lives. Similar rewards and even financial gain are possible, however, the same approach should be adopted in your business and professional life. In fact, I believe that this is the first commitment to becoming a truly effective leader. Search out challenging opportunities to change, grow, innovate and improve. That’s right: the same drive and ingenuity that started your business and grew it will now take it to the top! But the “bug” must be contagious and allowed to spread from both within and without the company.

If this were the first day on the job, what would you like to do that was different from what you actually did do on that first day? I’m certain you would do something differently, would your employees feel the same way? Probably, but you’ll never know unless you ask them. Why not try doing those things now. These tasks or projects might just provide a flurry of creativity in an area of the business that is stagnating or takes the team into uncharted waters. May be a way of doing business cheaper or better will be first on the list instead of a new product or service. Whatever the outcome, why not compile a list, and work these projects and ideas into everyone’s yearly goals.

On the micro scales, apply the same fresh, first-day approach to a given project. Take on the challenging, problem-solving task yourself or ask someone else if they feel like grappling with it to find a solution. This is particularly effective if moving from one area of expertise into an area one is interested in and would like to learn more about. In short: be a pioneer and spot the pioneers in your crowd.

We must always look backwards at where we have been to know where we are going, but the danger comes when we keep looking back at the expense of looking forward. Sometimes the old way needs to hit the highway.

Your staff can also perform this analysis. Remember that the goal is to become an effective leader. Involve the, in the process so they will take ownership of productivity and highlight improvements that are critical that may escape your eye. When you remove any hindrances to make their jobs easier, their commitment to you and to becoming leaders themselves will grow.

I mentioned earlier that the commitment to leadership could be fueled from the outside as well. I’m not suggesting that you enlist clients, colleagues and competitors in the quest directly, but all hold valuable information that your company can capitalize on to become a leader locally or in your field.

Start with suggestions. These may surface surreptitiously at breakfast meetings, in focus groups or by observing competitors or more overtly through suggestion boxes or customer satisfaction surveys. The need to entrust your team on the fact-finding missions should be clear. Certainly you can’t be expected to see every new possibility, even if it is lying in wait within arms reach. Involve yourself by calling clients you haven’t heard from in a while to find out why. Not only will they appreciate your interest, you may be able to generate some new business by making a few simple changes.

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Article Tags: financial gain, private lives, professional life, rewards



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