As a Continuous Improvement (CI) coach, I help smart professionals rise and stay above competition. To be specific, I coach clients on building CI processes that promote vertical progress and reduce daily mistakes.
I can almost hear you thinking, “What daily mistakes?” Don’t stop reading now.
See, smart professionals compete for jobs and promotions. Why? Because getting a better job raises their status. And a higher status makes them feel like royalty. Actually, we both can agree, you, too, want to feel great about yourself. Why wouldn’t you?
But there’s one problem. More often than not, daily mistakes ruin smart professionals’ chance of rising above ruthless competition in the job market; imprisoning them in a boring job forever.
Want’s one example of daily mistakes?
The most harmful daily mistake I fix is the following:
Most smart professionals do not know how to allocate and spend their personal energy. Thus, they have no major results—no portfolio—to show for their years of experience.
Need more clarity?
This year, the Toronto Raptors won the NBA finals over the Golden State Warriors. He is how. The Raptors’ best strategy was to make Steph Curry spend his energy on moving and relocating on the court.
To quote Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer, “Curry was exhausted by the fourth quarter, and appeared frustrated by the special attention the Raptors gave him, often grimacing or hanging his head.”
They ”wore him down physically until it affects his mind. The physical fatigue led to mental fatigue, resulting in sloppy decisions,” added Kevin O’Connor.
Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots is a master at making his opponents waste their energy. That’s why he is the greatest coach in the history of the NFL, with 8 Super Bowl rings on his trophy shelf.
“What’s Belichick best strategy?” you ask. His team runs long drives. By so doing, he forces his opponents to spend energy on defense till their players get exhausted—and start making bad decisions.
What exactly is personal energy?
Oprah Winfrey said,“Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.”
Scott Adams described personal energy “as anything that gives you a positive lift, either mentally or physically.” And added, “Generous people take care of their own needs first. In fact, doing so is a moral necessity. The world needs you at your best.”
Why protecting personal energy?
Ralph Marsto said you should, ”put your energy into building what is creative, valuable and empowering. And you won’t have to constantly fight against what is destructive and draining.”
Anthony Robbins explained, “The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.”
“It takes too much energy to be against something unless it’s really important,” argued Madeleine L’Engle.
In addition, Eva Gabor shared the following, “I learned early that you only have so much energy to give. You have to spend it correctly.“
What’s my point? You should spend your personal energy ONLY on the things that matters the most for your career. To repeat Jim Rohn: “Don’t major in minor things.”
Let me ask you: From now on, how will use your personal energy?
Have questions? Click here to let us know.
