Another one from James Clear that I couldn’t put out of my mind. Those quotes that stick for one reason or another, this one for me, was just that. A great career and personal focus one should live by. After the quote I share how it may be intended.
“Always be prepared to absorb a big hit. Always be focused enough to create a big win. Diversified enough to survive, concentrated enough to matter.”
James Clear
Can one be “always” ready? I’ve been one not to use absolutes. But, I do believe in consistently being ready, focused, diversified, and concentrated enough to matter. I guess the higher you aim for perfection the better off you are right? I’m sure that’s what Jame meant here.
I recently had a big hit as many of my viewers no professionally. Was I completely ready? No. I don’t think anyone is ready to start over with their careers. Am I ready? I’ll say treat your current career professionally like it’s an interview for the next one. Everyone is expendable. Things happen. Unseen things. Blind spots. You can not afford in today’s people market to be complacent. Find your edge everyday, keep it sharp.
Being focused to make a big win, even in complete utter failure, is my trademark. I push to the edge of a win. I can feel it, it’s within reach, and I work to keep it there every day I show up. Showing up, in itself, is focus. Be intentional with your work, team, and show up. Being intentional, not just going into your day hoping it will be different, brings enough focus with it to create a big win. Sometimes it’s not the win you think.
Big wins I have learned, are rarely the ones that you do all on your own. It takes others. Relationships are currency. Mine was an outpouring of support for me, encouragement, and challenges when it was time for me to take a very scary next step in my career path. It was like looking back as a runner in your last mile of a race and seeing all these people who believe in you, clapping and cheering for you. These people, relationships, colleagues are your customers. Treat them better than you treat yourself. They’ll be there for you when it’s your turn. Big win.
Work hard at not being a one skilled free agent. Focus hard at diversifying your tool kit. I believed if it works for my personal finance portfolio to not have all my assets in one basket, it works for skills too. I found out it does. Diversify and continually learn along the way. Learn something completely in left field. Learn something in a field your curious in. Build a learning plan, so it’s very intentional in effort. When you have to pivot forcibly or because you can, you’re going to bring a range of skills to the table. That’s what companies want. Agility. Someone that can be a skill of many, not just the role or project they’re assigned to.
Big thanks to James Clear for the punch in the face with the quote. Always appreciate the talented person he is. Master of scale and scope. Pick him up as your next diversified learning plan. You won’t regret it. Have a great weekend ahead!
✌🏻 Shawn
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