Building On The Backs Of Your People
I once heard a business adviser say “you have to build your business on other people’s work.”This rubbed me the wrong way at first, and I thought about it for over a year.If your goal as the leader of a company is to minimize expenses and maximize profit specifically for personal gain, then yes, this is as skeevey as it sounds.You’d be building your personal fortune on the backs of your workforce.And maybe that’s passably ethical, but it’s pretty selfish.If your goal is solve problems in the world, then this makes perfect sense. In fact, if your team is totally aligned with the social mission of the company, who wouldn’t want the company to benefit from their direct labor? That’s why they’re there!This isn’t really just about work or output, it’s about alignment and the definition of your mission.The clearer you are about WHY you’re working so hard, the easier it will be for you and your team to make personal sacrifices to get you there.And it’s basically impossible to stop a team so dedicated and relentless.Pick your mission. Be clear. Be relentless.
2 Minute Action
What’s your mission?How could you be more specific in defining it ?How might you explain it to a 6-year-old?When you’re crystal clear on the WHY, the how and the what become much easier—and your output will become more useful and relevant.
You Don't Have To Work Hard To Get This
The bar is low for customer service.
Have you ever been yelled at in the airport at 6 AM by TSA.Have you ever been greeted by a store associate with only the two unapologetic words, "we're closed."If you've ever waited in line only to be given excuses at the end of it.All of us can feel it. It's part of being a human.It's just hard to the work AND do the emotional work of smiling at customers, too.The only good news about this is that you don't have to work that hard to impress people.And isn't that a world we'd rather live in? One that's a little bit more human?
2 Minute Action
Hold the door for someone today, look them straight in the eye, smile, and say "I hope you have a great, great day."Instead of pointing fingers or blaming external factors, call yourself out and say "no excuses. This was my fault."It's harder, but it's worth it.
Whatever You're Doing Right Now, You're Paying For It With Your Life
No one knows how much time they have left, but most people want to do something important.Where's the urgency?I have an estimated count of how much time I've got left. I call it my "Death Bed Timer."It's a little scary, and that's the point.I look at this quickly shrinking number on a regular basis for 2 reasons:
- To desensitize myself to my fear of dying.
- To motivate myself with the urgency of impermanence.
Whatever you're doing right now, you are spending your life on it.Maybe it's just temporary right now, but maybe it's a habit.Whatever it is, you will NOT get that time back.Think like this and live a life of purpose.We all need your help out here.Let's do this.
2 Minute Action
What's your most important task today?Work on it right now for 2 minutes. Set a timer. No excuses.If you can read this for 2 minutes, you can spend the next two minutes on this.Everyone has 2 minutes.Start now.