hard work Archives - Dennis E. Gilbert

27
May 21
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Working Hard, Does It Pay Off?

Tags : hard work navigation psychology of work work smart

Many people are encouraged that success comes from working hard. There is also the work smart, not hard crowd. Does working hard really pay off?

How would you describe hard work? Is it something that makes you feel exhausted? Is it physical labor?

One definition of working hard may connect people with the concept of effort. Physical labor, emotional labor, the effort to do more, learn more and become more valuable. Does that include working smart? Depending on your definition, yes, it most likely does.

Likely, it is a combination of many things. It includes being smart, or the ability to assess circumstances and situations and learn from them.

The definition of success is different for each person. When you are trying to become successful in your job or career what things should you do?

Working Hard

In some workplaces, the rate of pay is not based on merit. It is based on credentials, years of service, and the definition of the position you hold. The pay then, with a little bit of subjectivity, is calculated using these factors. Should you work hard or do just enough to fulfill the job duties as defined in the job description? Will this pay off?

Your success may also include another factor.

Have you factored in how you’ll navigate your job role?

What is the culture of the business or organization where you work? Does hard work matter, or is it more about navigation? Should you achieve as many credentials as possible in order to achieve more pay or get a promotion?

Should you just be quiet, and stay out of the way?

Nearly every circumstance or situation will be different. What pays off for you is likely going to be a combination of many factors. Some of it may involve credentials, some of it may involve physical and emotional labor. In some cases, it may be largely about relationships.

Does hard work pay off? It may depend on what you consider hard.

The hardest work of all may be figuring out how you will navigate. Does that exhaust you?

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

23
Mar 18
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Confronting the Status Quo, What Is It Worth?

Tags : change confront hard work status quo worth

Some work doesn’t come with a price tag, it is priceless. The hardest work for organizations is often confronting the status quo. It is the ground where experience and knowledge meet and advise that any change is a counterproductive threat to the work accomplished so far.

What’s it Worth

Think of the business ventures that failed to change, or changed too late. There are some good ones. Kodak and Blockbuster are two.

Many people believe that their workday energy is best spent fighting to keep the status quo. They need to use their energy wisely. Otherwise, someone may change something. That seems like a waste.

Imagine the onlookers at Kodak, watching digital imagining bit-by-bit, byte-by-byte, weakening their traditional film business. The very energy spent to protect the status quo was actually energy spent on their own demise.

All of that energy spent fighting to keep things the same. What is that worth?

Energy Spending

Imagine instead if all of the energy spent on protection was spent on real work. What if it was spent navigating the hurdles, the obstacles, and confronting the status quo. What would that look like?

Think for a moment, what if all of the resources were instead spent on observing what is challenging the customer and then making it easier, better and faster to do business. Instead of cheaper, with less overhead and reduced touch points.

What if the customer was considered the best investment? What if it started internally and spread virally externally?

Is it possible to reduce the friction of the customer journey? Can the organization shorten lead times, ship sooner, and stand by the product, will they?

What if internal teams actually started working together and stopped pointing fingers, and casting blame across departments?

Status Quo

What hard work would you rather do?

Confronting the status quo is hard, but for those who put in the effort and carry it through to produce lasting change that saves businesses, it is priceless.

All of that other hard work. It isn’t worth a dime.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, #CustServ The Customer Service Culture, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

13
Mar 18
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Hard Work Is The Best Way To Get Lucky

Tags : career hard work job luck motivation

Do you count on luck to carry you forward? Does hard work have anything to do with luck?

Look around on your daily commute. There is someone thinking that they need more luck. They need luck to get a better job, advance in their career, or find a way to rapidly increase their retirement account.

Do People Get Lucky?

It does happen. Publishers Clearing House claims it will release $7k a week for life to someone who finds luck. The convenience store is always selling lottery tickets.

Some will flock to the store that sells winning tickets, because of course, that store is lucky.

Luck probably has something to do with your odds, your chance of winning, right? Can you get lucky with your career? Is it really all about luck?

Often your odds of winning in any kind of large lottery pool are slim. Buy a single ticket or buy ten. It doesn’t change your odds very much.

Lucky Job

Are people lucky with their job? Do they get the best job because they are lucky? Those who are in stop and go traffic, or cruising along on the interstate, will they get lucky? What about the people on the train or those boarding the plane, will they get lucky?

I don’t believe much in luck. I seldom play the lottery. However, I do believe that we can put ourselves into better positions to get lucky.

The singing sensation probably sings more in order to get the lucky break to be discovered.

An entrepreneur or an inventor knows that more visibility will increase their odds of market success.

People counting on luck to find a new job are probably putting themselves into a position that allows luck to work in their favor. Perhaps more networking, replying to job ads, or doing more of their best work.

Hard Work

Will hard work help you get lucky? What will increase your odds?

Don’t quit too early, don’t give up too soon. The harder you work the better your chances.

Luck rarely happens to those who are not giving luck a chance.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, #CustServ The Customer Service Culture, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

06
Dec 17
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Does Hard Work Pay Off In The Future?

Tags : coaching education hard work hope motivation

Are you working hard for a better education, hard at your job, or for your own business? Many people set out every day to make a difference. Sometimes, even the best ask the question, “Does hard work pay off?”

I just glanced at the news reports for the 2017 Heisman Trophy finalists. I’m not sure what I’m more surprised about, the ones who made it, or the ones who didn’t.

So Much Talent

We often see so much talent. Sports, business, and entertainment, they all share a common thread. The perception often is that very few of the really great people ever get discovered and make it big.

That doesn’t mean that the ones who aren’t immediately discovered aren’t worth it. It doesn’t mean that they aren’t great. The brutal truth is that even with all of their talent, their knowledge, skills, and abilities; it is still very rare that they’ll be discovered.

An organization of fifty people, one hundred, or those with thousands of people probably have some exceptional talent. Only a few will make it to vice president, or a position in the C Suite. In most organizations, only one or none will make it all the way to the top.

Getting Discovered

Most people are hoping that someone will find them. They hope they’ll be discovered within their organization, or that their product or service will become the next big thing. It is even true with social media posts or that really cool video, there is hope that it will become the next one to trend.

All of that isn’t much different from buying a lottery ticket. The moment you buy, the excitement begins. There is the hope for a win. Very few actually do.

Some will quickly cite luck as making the difference. Studies on luck have indicated that it has very little to do with success, but viewpoints may vary depending on how you measure it.

Doing The Work

So people do their work, they do all of it. Does their hard work pay off?

They get better educated. They put in the time and effort at their job or for their own business. Will they ever be discovered? Perhaps they will, but only sometimes.

A different approach is that instead of doing all the right things, you pivot to do more things right.

What if instead of hoping to be discovered by the top agency, be noticed by your boss, or see your video trending, you instead focus on what isn’t visible yet.

Work That Is Worth It

Imagine you are the apple that isn’t low hanging. Consider what people should be doing, only they aren’t.

You bring the list of solutions to the meeting instead of the list of problems. You aren’t requesting a meeting to discuss salary, your discussion points are about creating impact.

Most of this type of work is not a clearly laid out plan. It doesn’t just happen because you achieved the degree, because your card has been punched, or your business has the right location. None of that hurts, but it also doesn’t guarantee you’re next.

Hard Work Pay Off

Hard work pays off because it is hard. All of the easy stuff is already taken. Including everything that is visible in the mainstream right now.

Your target should be the one that is always moving.

The target that is stopped, paused, or visible right now, is already taken. That apple is picked.

Don’t hope to be the next one picked. Become the one everyone wants next.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, #CustServ The Customer Service Culture, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

Tag Archives: hard work

May 21

-

Working Hard, Does It Pay Off?

Working Hard

Mar 18

-

Confronting the Status Quo, What Is It Worth?

What’s it Worth

Energy Spending

Status Quo

Mar 18

-

Hard Work Is The Best Way To Get Lucky

Do People Get Lucky?

Lucky Job

Hard Work

Dec 17

-

Does Hard Work Pay Off In The Future?

So Much Talent

Getting Discovered

Doing The Work

Work That Is Worth It

Hard Work Pay Off

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