I am working with a client who is extremely good at what she does. Her natural talents really move me, and sometimes I get caught up just watching the ease at which she operates. She is head and shoulders above her peers and this represents a giant struggle for her.
Because she is so good at what she does, she feels like she does not need to work very hard. Sometimes that is true, at least she gets by, but usually it prevents her from reaching her true potential. We don't know how good she really can be, because she never really tries.
When Good Enough Isn't
This problem is effecting her performance. I am sure she would be surprised to discover how many errors she actually makes. Her personal confidence, and her advanced skill set temporarily masks a lot of her problems. At first glance, everything looks really good, but after a while the fact that she is winging it becomes very noticeable.
All she really needs to do to fix this problem is to polish her skills. It wouldn't take much effort. She just needs to prepare a little bit more and she would be amazing.
Her behavior models the old saying, "the enemy of the great is the very good." Her goodness is getting in the way of her greatness. Fortunately, she is beginning to see this problem and we are making progress.
Attributes of Success
My client is experiencing a really common road block for successful people. Many think that because they are better than their closest peer, they don't have to worry, or even they don't have to grow. They think they can relax. This behavior of course is counter-productive and actually leads to a gradual decay in their natural set of skills.
If you want to be the best at what you do, you must be willing to constantly raise the bar. This means that you must never stop learning and growing.
Successful people practice more than others. What they do looks easy, and that is because they practice when we aren't looking. They know how to polish their natural talents and use them effectively. They know their limits and their shortcomings, because they have taken the time to understand them. It is not that they are better than unsuccessful people, it is just that they are more willing to do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. They know they must get better every day, so they do not rely on the skills that saved them yesterday. They spend the time developing the ones they will need tomorrow.
Raising Your Bar
I imagine that you feel pretty good about your successes. You should, but I wonder, if you have ever found yourself in the same situation as my client? I know that there has been a time or two when I have.
Is your good preventing you from becoming great?
How much effort are you investing in becoming your best?
Are you willing to raise the bar?
Don't let your good get in the way of your best. Dare to reach for a new level, no matter what level you are at. It is not about the result, it is about the energy that comes from setting a new standard. Go for it!
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