Each of us has some form of a professional ABC strategy. Always. Be. And some word that starts with a “C.” That “C” word is what we are talking about, today.
Many of us are busy Chasing. We pursue the KPIs organizations impose on us. Typically, these metrics involve productivity, profitability or making our numbers or quota. However, that Chasing activity often causes us to become Committed to being Comfortable and Complacent.
As a result, we prefer to perform the repetitive actions necessary to meet (but not necessarily exceed) that current set of KPIs. Hmmm…..
As a result, we are not Committed to Changing ourselves, our knowledge base, resources, habits and mindset. Especially when the KPIs themselves change due to merger and acquisition or a new business model, technology, product line, or boss.
Perhaps our current professional ABC strategy requires some recalibration. What happens when we focus on preparing ourselves to face professional Change?
First, start by thinking about where we want to be, professionally: next quarter, next year, in the next 5 years. Then, ponder whether Chasing our current organization’s KPI allows us to accomplish our professional goals. Continue by assessing whether these goals (theirs and ours) are realistic, sustainable and healthy.
Usually, this exercise prompts us to think about whether we are fully engaged in doing what we love to do. Or, alternatively, are we merely killing time, employed in a position we have to do? And for how long?
In addition, are we expecting someone else to tell us what to do next? Or, are we committed to uncovering, and then building, the professional network and professional ABC strategy which achieves our goals? What skills do we need to acquire along the way? What industries do we need to become part of? Professional organizations? Cross-functional work teams?
Think about it. When we are Comfortable and Complacent, we do not have the energy or motivation to gain this perspective.
Ultimately, a professional ABC strategy Catalyzes professional growth, rather than reinforces status quo Complacency.
Things get uncomfortable when our professional ABC strategy is: Always Be Changing. As we continuously evolve, professionally, we move one millimeter outside our current comfort levels, don’t we?
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After all, Change is equated with disruption, rocking the boat, shaking things up and being a trouble maker. Change often has a negative connotation. Which is why Comfort and Complacency are valued – but not necessarily valuable – over the long haul.
And here is the hard part. If we seek opportunities for professional growth, then we must be prepared to follow through and take action. We must become better and better over time. We cannot remain only as good as the day we were hired. That tack keeps us good and stuck and comfortable and complacent.
Committing to improving ourselves professionally requires us to change how we do things and how we think about things. So, in essence, we are engaged in continuous self-disruption for professional innovation.
Wondering how and where to start catalyzing your professional growth? Well, you just began by reading this blog post.
Then, continue moving one millimeter forward, today.
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Babette Ten Haken, Founder & President of One Millimeter Mindset™ serves organizations as a corporate catalyst and innovative speaker, strategist, coach and storyteller. Babette’s One Millimeter Mindset™ Workshops and Speaking programs leverage collaboration to catalyze professional innovation, workforce engagement and customer retention, especially in challenging Industrial Internet of Things environments. Babette’s playbook of IIoT team collaboration hacks, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon. She is a member of SME, ASQ, SHRM and the National Speakers Association. Image source: iStock
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