There are many ways to do fine work. One approach is to feel settled, to stretch yourself and to achieve success. This is an approach that can be used by individuals, teams and organisations. Let’s explore these themes.
Settled
Some people do their best work when they feel settled. This can mean different things to different people. For example:
They may feel settled in terms of fulfilling their basic needs – they feel safe, have a home and enough money;
They may feel settled in terms of their relationships – they have people who encourage them;
They may feel settled in terms of their individual work – they are doing satisfying work where they can play to their strengths.
Being settled can also help to make things more predictable. This can help people to deal with any unpredictable things when they happen. The same rule applies to teams and organisations.
Some teams, for example, do their best work when they are settled. This can mean different things to different teams.
They may feel settled in terms of their aim – they are clear on their purpose, principles and picture of success;
They may feel settled in terms of their strategy – they are clear about the strategies they can follow to achieve the picture of success;
They may feel settled in terms of their people – they are clear they have the right people in the right places to achieve the picture of success.
People who feel settled can build on this predictability and use it as a platform for doing superb work. Sometimes this can involve them focusing on the next stage.
Stretch
Great workers aim to consistently deliver high standards. Sometimes they also stretch themselves to go into new dimensions. They may stretch their body, brain or other senses to go into their equivalent of the zone.
Some people stretch themselves physically. They may do this when playing a sport, climbing a mountain, running a marathon or doing another physical activity.
Some people stretch themselves psychologically. They may do this when tackling an emotional challenge, managing a crisis, being brave or adding to their emotional repertoire.
Some people stretch themselves philosophically. They may do this when exploring new ideas, applying their intellect, being creative or finding solutions to problems.
People often like to build from a settled base. They sometimes grow by stretching themselves, however, and adding to their repertoires. This can lead to the next stage.
Success
Great workers aim to do superb work and achieve success. Some see this as a springboard and want to keep growing. They may do this by taking the following steps.
They clarify the specific goals they want to achieve, build from a settled base and stretch themselves to achieve success;
They clarify the specific things they did right – such as the principles they followed – and build on these to achieve future success;
They clarify the specific things they can improve and implement these ideas to achieve future success.
Great workers believe that success breeds success – but only if they keep growing. They believe in building on a solid base, doing superb work and going beyond imagined ceilings. Some stretch themselves by going into new dimensions and achieving ongoing success.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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