There are many ways to do fine work. One approach is to focus on clarity, consistently high standards and class. Let’s explore how to translate this approach into action.
Clarity
Great workers build on their strengths and set specific goals. Choosing to be selective to be effective, they aim to be crystal clear on:
The specific results they want to achieve and the benefits of achieving this picture of success;
The specific strategies they can follow to give themselves the greatest chance of success;
The specific action plan they aim to follow to do their best to achieve the picture of success.
Such workers do their research and due diligence before committing to achieving certain goals. Different people do this in different ways. Some take they following steps.
They clarify the pluses and minuses involved in working to achieve the goals;
They clarify how they can build on the pluses and minimise the minuses on the way towards achieving the goals;
They clarify their motivation rating – on a scale 0-10 – to do what is required to achieve the goals.
Great workers make sure their motivation rating at least 7+/10. They may also clarify the specific things they can do to improve the rating. Some people take the following steps.
They clarify how they can get the required support and resources needed to do the job;
They clarify how the can get some quick successes and encourage themselves on the journey;
They clarify how they can manage any potential challenges on the road to achieve the goals.
Such workers go into projects with their eyes open. They take time to reflect and, bearing in mind all the factors involved, they then commit to doing the work. This leads to the next step.
Consistently High Standards
Great workers aim to do their best and deliver high standards. They take this approach whether they are performing at the Village Hall or the Carnegie Hall.
Looking back, can you think of a situation when you took this approach? You may have been encouraging a person, teaching a class, doing a creative project, leading a team or doing another activity.
What did you do to prepare properly? How did you follow good habits? How did you aim to keep improving? How did you do your best to achieve the goal? What happened as a result of taking these steps?
Great workers follow their chosen routines for doing fine work. They often start by aiming to set things up to succeed. They then sometimes take the following steps when doing a piece of work.
They rehearse what they are going to do next – such as following their strategy, doing a task or tackling a challenge;
They follow their chosen strategy, deliver high standards and find solutions to challenges;
They keep developing by building on what they are doing well and tackling areas for improvement.
Imagine that a person is following these principles and doing high quality work. Sometimes this will be enough to deliver the goods. Sometimes they will also focus on the following step.
Class
Great workers sometimes reach their goals by adding that touch of class. Sometimes this can be spectacular. Sometimes it can be a simple act of kindness. Sometimes it can be something that gives people a positive memories for life.
The athlete produces a remarkable performance. The singer produces a memorable encore. The victor behaves generously whilst the loser makes a gracious speech.
Nelson Mandela demonstrated aspects of this approach after leaving prison. Moving away from violence, he chose to focus on reconciliation and kindness.
Desmond Tutu wrote an article for the Guardian in which he highlights how Nelson translated this approach into action. The following section provides excerpts from this article.
There are many ways to do fine work. One approach is to start by focusing on clarity. It is to establish the real results to achieve. It is then to deliver consistently high standards and add that touch of class.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a specific activity where you may want to follow elements of this approach? This could be in your personal or professional life.
If you wish, ty tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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