 Focus on Your Strengths!
Effective leaders who reach their potential spend more time focusing on what they do well -- their areas of strength -- rather than focusing on what they don't do well -- their areas of weakness.
To be successful, focus on your strengths and develop them -- that is where you should pour the greatest amount of you time, energy and resources. Consider these three Focus Rules:
1. The 80% Rule.
Rule: Spend the greatest amount of your time and energy DOING what you do the best.
Set aside some time to put a list together of the top three to five things you do REALLY WELL -- those things that you (1) truly excel at, (2) are known for, and/or (2) do "naturally." These are the areas where you need to spend approximately 80% of your weekly time -- focusing on your areas of strength.
2. The Continuous Improvement Rule.
Rule: Spend time each weekly improving upon your ability to do the things you do best.
Simply DOING what you do best is not enough. You must continuously develop and improve upon your key strengths. Dedicate three to four hours each week (1) trying new things related to your areas of strength, (2) reading material relevant to your areas of strength, and/or (3) engaging in other applicable learning activities.
What would it take for you to go to the next level in your main areas of strength? What new tools do you need? Rethink how you do things -- is there a better way?
As a leader, "If you're through growing, then you're through."
3. The 5% Rule.
Rule: Spend no more than 5% of your weekly time -- or approximately 2 hours per week -- on your areas weakness.
No one can entirely avoid working in their areas of weakness. The trick is to minimize that time as much as possible -- delegating work in your areas of weakness to others whenever possible. If the work cannot be completely delegated, find a colleague with whom you can partner to either help you or share the workload. Develop a plan for how to best complete these tasks. Get creative.
Source: "The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader", John C. Maxwell.
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Quotes to Inspire
LEADERSHIP/SUCCESS:
If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.
--Unknown
MOTIVATION/INSPIRATION:
What people say, what people do, and what
they say they do are entirely different things.
--Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
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