Thoughts on Work and Career
by John Allen · 36 things on Twos
- Note: Attribution is given to the author(s). If no author is shown, then it is my own thought, and is based upon my experiences and observations. Also, not everything shared in this list has been distilled to its most succinct form.
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- A project is closer to perfection when it is completed on time than when it is past due, and all of the minute details are perfected.
- Growth and ability come not from perfection in the minute details but rather on-time delivery. Over time, one will learn how to do better work in the allotted time, but they cannot if they focus primarily at getting the job done perfectly from the beginning.
- Perfectionism can lead to failure if the job is never completed.
- Illustration: Years ago, I was given a simple project to do at work. This project needed to be done in a timely manner. However, in my attempts to make the project, which was to design and build a small piece of equipment, the greatest it could be, I failed to finish it within the time frame to keep my coworker happy and to meet his needs. I did finally finish the project but, unfortunately, I had created strife between my coworker and myself. The takeaway: complete a task/project in the best way possible but not at the expense of missing deadlines because missed deadlines create doubt, fears, strife, and failures.
- When you are stretched too thin to give it your best then you will be mediocre at best. Boundaries allow for your best work, which paves the way for more opportunities in time.
- When given a task, do only what is required to complete the task and nothing more. Too many people waste time and energy while attempting to fix other issues that are noticed while completing the task at hand. Therefore, let every task standalone and complete each task only when the time, energy, and resources have been planned aforetime.
- The bottom line ought not be dollars and cents but the lives of the employees, customers, and community.
- A person can know everything there is to know about business but until they know and understand who they are they will never be a successful businessperson.
- Clear communication is the lifeblood of every business. If clear communication is absent then prepare for the burial of the company because it will not live on.
- Micromanagement is usually a result of the Demand-Stress Cycle.
- The Demand-Stress Cycle, as I call it, is the cycle in which a micromanager finds themselves as a result of the demands of customers and higher management.
- The demand for results is high and that leads to stress which leads to micromanagement in the attempt to meet the demands and mitigate the stress.
- Most micromanagers never realize how they add to their stress by micromanaging.
- Takeaway #1: do not deal with customers who demand unreasonably frequent updates nor unreasonable results.
- Takeaway #2: keep all employees informed about expectations, provide them the resources necessary to do the job, and then let them work.
- Takeaway #3: a weak manager wants updates throughout the day straight from the employees but a strong manager develops and incorporates systems that gauges the progress without the need to nag the employees.
- Being good at something does not necessarily mean you are meant to do it. Abilities alone do not determine your purpose.
- Experience means nothing if you learned nothing while experiencing.
- Your monetary value to a company should never be determined by where you choose to live but by what value you actually add to the company.
- Finish! Finish! Finish! Do not merely brag about what you have begun to do but rather complete the job and let the work brag on you itself.
- Being a Leader
- The most important characteristic any leader should possess is excellent communication, because without communication their followers, employees, or subordinates will not respect them, which directly affects production and teamwork.
- Management sees people as a means to build their work while leadership sees work as a means to build their people.
- Time Management
- What you do not plan you will not do. If you do not plan your work, you will not do your work. Your projects will never be completed and your goals never achieved if you do not plan your work and work your plan.
- Plan your work and work your plan else others will plan your work by giving you theirs.
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- Success
- Derive success not from the realization of personal goals but from the growth caused by your journey.
- Be successful in the work you have been assigned before attempting to be successful in the work of which you dream. If your career is a journey on which you travel then you cannot reach the mountain tops without first walking through the valley.