To put this into perspective, first I’m going to tell you a story:
An aging farmer realized he was becoming too old to care for his farm, and was now ready to pass his farm down to one of his two sons. When he brought his sons together to discuss his decision, he told them: The farm will go to the younger son.
The older son was furious! “How could you not give the farm to me?! I have worked here longer!” he fumed.
The father sat patiently, thinking.
“Okay,” the father said to the older son, “I need you to do something for me. We need more stocks. Will you go to Cibi’s farm and see if he has any cows for sale?”
The older son shortly returned and reported, “Father, Cibi has 6 cows for sale.”
The father graciously thanked the older son for his work. He then turned to the younger son and said, “I need you to do something for me. We need more stocks. Will you go to Cibi’s farm and see if he has any cows for sale?”
The younger son did as he was asked. A short while later, he returned and reported, “Father, Cibi has 6 cows for sale. Each cow will cost 2,000 rupees. If we are thinking about buying more than 6 cows, Cibi said he would be willing to reduce the price 100 rupees. Cibi also said they are getting special jersey cows next week if we aren’t in a hurry, it may be good to wait. However, if we need the cows urgently, Cibi said he could deliver the cows tomorrow.”
The father graciously thanked the younger son for his work. He then turned to the older son and said, “That’s why your younger brother is getting the farm.”
The reason why the younger son got the farm is because he was willing to do more than just the bare minimum. This virtue can be translated to any aspect of effort, whether it be school, your career, a passion, or a hobby. Those who are willing to go above and beyond will reap the benefits of their hard work.
What Separates the Ordinary from the Extraordinary?
• To be a good worker, you must know how to follow instructions. To be a great worker, you need to know how to anticipate the next step. Many people passively wait for direction instead of taking the initiative to do more without having to be asked.
• Think back to when you were at school: when you were assigned an essay, more than likely you made sure to meet the requirements, the word count, and the information that had to be covered. But did you really put your heart into it? Did you think of how you were really going to rock this concept, leaving your teacher with a new perception of the topic? Did you consider how to structure the essay for maximum impact? It’s okay if you didn’t. You probably still got a good grade. But that essay will never be remembered.
• At work when you are given an assignment, you’re sure to meet all of the necessary requirements to fulfill the task. But do you think ahead to what the next step could be? Do you consider which aspects of the assignment could be revised for better accuracy? If you just do the bare minimum and wonder why you aren’t recognized or promoted, perhaps it’s time for some reflection.
• Successful people don’t just complete the task at hand, they think of ways to improve the work. This is how you get noticed. This is how you get ahead.
• Successful people ensure that they can get ahead by strategically planning the steps that must be taken to get to their ultimate goal.
• Anticipate challenges and changes. Things don’t always go as planned, and you can’t freeze up when things don’t go your way. Instead, embrace the challenges and think of ways to overcome the obstacles. You will be noticed for your quick and strategic thinking.
• The thing that most separates the successful from the mediocre is identifying your weaknesses and finding ways to improve them and turn them into strengths. Successful people are always actively trying to improve, knowing that they could always do better. Complacency is the enemy.
• There’s nothing wrong with being average. If you’re comfortable and don’t feel the need to strive for more, that’s okay. But just realize that you will always stay at your current level, passively following directions, without ever contributing personal thoughts or insights. Your opinion will never be asked, your expertise will never be called upon. In the work force we call these people “bodies.” People who fulfill their job, but never go the extra mile, and never move up in their career.
• Being successful is a choice. Most people don’t achieve the extra-ordinary by luck. They proactively take an extra step in order to get ahead. Many of us don’t have mentors to point out our weaknesses and show us how to improve. We must take it upon ourselves to identify those factors, and learn how to strengthen those loose ends.
How About Doing More Than You Think You Can?
The most successful leaders constantly ask themselves these questions to improve upon themselves, their product, and their brand.
Business masterminds such as Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple Inc.) and Elon Musk (CEO and product Architect of Tesla, SpaceX and a number of powerful, influential companies) never settled after achieving the success of one product or project. Instead, they continued to strive for more. Each milestone is really just a stepping stone for what’s next. That is how these men managed to become so successful and influential. Strategic planning, and hard work.
You Have to Stand Out in Order to be Noticed.
It’s not enough to just want something. Everyone wants to get ahead, but few do because they don’t take the initiative to excel.
When trying to climb the corporate ladder, there’s an overwhelming amount of competition. You really have to make an impression in order to be noticed. Following directions and doing a “good job” won’t do that for you. Corporations need worker bees in order to make the business work, so you will be left right where you are. You need to prove that you’re a valuable asset, a force to be reckoned with. That is how to transition from being the one who follows orders, to the one who gives them. You need to have ideas, and not be afraid to set them into motion.
I worked in food service for most of my life as a cook. My ultimate goal was always to achieve Michelin status, and work in one of those super strict glimmering kitchens that most cooks only dream about. Finally, I got my chance. I went in for my interview with my sharpened knives and ironed uniform. The incredibly intimidating Chef took me into the walk-in fridge and told me to make anything I wanted. I panicked and came up with a very ordinary dish that included caramelized orange segments. I sprinkled the segments with sugar, and placed them in the broiler to caramelize the sugar, but it wouldn’t turn on. One of the line cooks handed me a blow torch, saying that they lit the broiler with it because the pilot was out. I took the segments out, and instead used the blowtorch to candy the oranges. To be honest, my plate alone probably wouldn’t have gotten me the job. But the quick thinking and problem solving is what got me recognized.
To be successful, you can’t be stagnant. You need to embrace challenges and think of ways to overcome them. Most importantly, you need to have the courage to excel. Success can be scary, because you need to commit to it; people look up to you. But you can’t wish your way to success. You need to work for it.
Featured photo credit: Solar Tribune via google.com
