5 Small Changes That Can Make a Big Impact on You and Your Life
- Connect and Eject
Being able to connect and eject starts with building a diverse network. The more quality people you have in your virtual Rolodex the better! This way when an opportunity presents itself you can quickly connect two people and then eject from the conversation and allow them to take it from there. I believe every link could lead to collaboration, a new idea or invention, or problem solved, and at the very least a brilliant conversation between two awesome people. I also believe if you are transparent and open with your network, it will come back to you in spades. Remove your expectations and stand back to see what great things can come from being the link.
Ideas to eject: “do not include me in emails moving forward”, “move to BCC” and let the conversation carry on.
- Mindset Matters
There is no doubt that the mindset you take on each day matters. It matters greatly. It can change your day, ruin your day, and even turn your day around. I believe a growth mindset, as described so brilliantly by Carol Dweck, is the choice mindset that will lead to success, opportunities and positive outcomes. Believe it or not, choosing the growth mindset will also increase your energy throughout the day.
- Launch and Adjust
After many years of trying to be a perfectionist, I learned to let go and launch and adjust. And I have learned that this could also be the best way to get as near to perfection as possible. Not only can you learn and laugh at any mistakes you make, once something has launched to the public, you can quickly learn what cultural adaptations need to be made, what needs more clarity, and what might not be working at all and why. So go ahead, put it out there and see what happens. Sitting on something for years until it is perfect may be too late.
- See Something Say Something
If you walk up the subway stairs in New York City you will see this slogan written all over the city. In 2012 I saw Thomas Friedman start his speech with the very same words. It resonates and reminds me to stay awake, and aware, and to be vocal. We all have a voice and we should use it. When we see something great, people should know. When we see something that isn’t quite kosher, we should state our view on the matter, and if we see something down right wrong, we need to let the world know. Be seen. Be heard. Be credible.
- Mentor and Model
The more you read the more you will see a trend in the significance of mentors in the world of work and progressing in one’s career. You will also read how critical it is for leaders to model the behaviors that are wanted within a culture. And what happens to an organization when there is disconnect or no modeling at all. Seems simple enough, right? Alas, mentoring and modeling is not yet common practice across all companies. There is no reason we shouldn’t all have a mentor, be a mentor, be a role model, and approach the workplace with a spirit of generosity and abundance to lift as we climb. There is really no excuse not to.