You don’t have to be great all the time. Frankly, you only have to be great a few times per week. The mistake everyone else makes is they’re giving all tasks equal attention. They’re trying to be great at everything all the time, thus end up mediocre at most everything, and stressed out, overwhelmed, and exhausted in the process.
But in reality, only very few instances each week matter a lot. Everything else matters little. There are always a few instances throughout your week that can produce huge payoffs in results, reputation, recognition, influence, impact, and long-term value. It could be a key presentation, an important sales call, a staff meeting, a difficult conversation with partner or employees, or contract negotiation. Whatever your performance in those few instances will make up 90 percent plus of the success and outcome of your entire week.
My secret has been to identify those few instances each week and double down on my preparation to be excellent in those few instances. I do what I call “go for the 13.” If 10 would be excellent, I go for the 13 in those few instances. You only have to be excellent a few times a week to massively move the needle. Multiply your gains and that’s because those few instances have the most exposure, the greatest impact, and everyone will think that you are excellent all the time. It’s really amazing. So here is your action plan for today.
1) Pick the 2-3 instances this week where delivering excellence would have its highest impact.
Identifying the 3 most important events each week.
2) Prepare for excellence. I’ve learned in studying great performers—athletes, entertainers, artists, and business leaders—that the difference between good performance and spectacular performance is in their preparation.
In fact, extraordinary performance is possible only through extraordinary preparation.
3) Deliver WOW. Decide what a “10” would be and go for a “13”.
What would exceed expectations?
What would make your performance memorable?
What would have whomever else is involved say, “WOW” out loud?
That’s your goal.