You can be A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

When you want to be at your best, what do you usually do? How do you do it? Firstly don’t aim to be perfect, only be AMAZING? How so?


ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCELERATE: If it’s going to be it’s going to be up to you; whether it is getting that opportunity, increasing your value or learning from failure. There is always something you can do, learn, share or develop to inch you step by step towards your goal.


MEASURE AND MAGNIFY: Determine '' what your amazing is'' and how you are going to measure that. Find a mentor who will help you do whatever it takes to get to your amazing self; that person you respect and are prepared to take instruction and advice from.


ACCOUNT AND ACCOMPLISH: Be accountable for your choices, actions, responsibilities and goals and follow through with your commitments. Be responsible for how you communicate, how you behave and how you handle responsibility and manage time.


ZOOM AND ZING: You can only be fantastic with your strengths not by trying to fix your flaws or stressing over your limitations. Don't be reticent. Find a way to start monitoring how often you're using your strengths and how you feel when you're using your strengths. Exude energy.


INVEST AND INCENTIVISE :Invest in your craft. What is the one thing you can say you are really good at? Increase what you bring to the table. Be your best and reward yourself when you achieve. Yes, it's ok to be happy for you! .


NIP AND NAVIGATE: Nip mediocrity in the bud. Do your very best whatever level of responsibility you are given. Navigate challenges instead of giving up when you hit a wall. Don't be afraid to learn even the hard lessons, these might be what prepare you for thriving in situations that most people might not.


GROW AND GUIDE: Make your choices on the basis of potential for growth and keep raising your standards. No matter how prestigious your job or role looks is if it does not offer room for personal or professional development, you are as good as sitting in a rocking chair, making a lot of movement but going nowhere.


Now take action: How can you become more accountable as a person?

Don't be a complainer!

We all complain from time to time but chronic complaining could hurt your reputation and professional relationships. How do you know if your complaining is getting out of hand? Here are some signs;


‘BUT’ IS COMMON IN YOUR VOCABULARY: You are a ‘resister’ and your first instinct in any situation is to find a reason to object. No matter how good things are, you still see only the bad or toss the issue round in your mind till you find your ‘but’.


YOUR LANGUAGE IS NEGATIVE: Negative phrases like won’t, can’t shouldn’t are not uncommon with you. You think ‘life isn’t fair’ and you find examples to back up this view. You think everyone’s out to get you. You are regularly argumentative and persistently voice out your disagreements.


YOU EXAGGERATE DIFFICULTIES: You make everything seem worse than it is, you focus on spotting flaws and mistakes. You’re overly sensitive and get easily offended. You are in your element when there’s controversy or drama.


So what can you do to stop complaining?

UNDERSTAND WHY YOU COMPLAIN: And try to be as specific as possible as regards what you are unhappy about so that you can address it.


KNOW WHAT IT’S COSTING YOU: Complaining is not a harmless habit, it wastes your time, drains your energy and fouls your mood. Complaining could leave you stressed and even sometimes isolated because people do not like to be around someone who complains all the time.


DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT: Whatever you tend to complain about, decide that you will do something about it. If it’s a situation you can’t do anything about then let it go or learn to live with it. That will take a lot of stress off you. Do something specific; you can start small; for example decide not to complain for one full hour, then one full day, then another. Complaining is a choice, one that you can stop.


KEEP COMPANY WITH THE CHEERFUL: If you’re always griping enlist the help of someone cheerful to remind you there are things to be grateful for. Reflect on what makes you happy and focus on that.


Now take action: What one thing will you stop complaining about?

Flip the S.W.I.T.C.H

Getting ahead in your career takes more than doing a decent job or holding steady in whatever role you have. If you want to advance you'll have to do better than just be a safe pair of hands. Here are some tips for stepping up;


SPEED: You must demonstrate speed, in getting results, in learning what you need to, in transitioning to new roles or settling into bigger responsibilities. Be self-directed, disciplined and always thinking ahead.


WISDOM: Wisdom isn't cleverness or even intelligence. It's the thoughtful analysis of knowledge and information and deciding a way forward. Enhance your capacity to make decisions even when you don't have all details you require. Don't operate on the basis of assumptions, speculation or your own biased opinions.


INITIATIVE: Seize opportunities, stay ahead of problems, follow through with what you take on. Show you are dependable and that you can step up. Think beyond your day to day work and gets things done without anyone standing over your shoulder. Rise to the occasion and always prepared.


TALENT: The mark of a good professional is one who brings something concrete to a role but also has room to grow. Don't be limited by the boundaries of job specifications. Bring not just your skills, but your energy, passion, your common sense and a relentless quest for excellence.


CHARACTER: Performance alone is not enough; integrity are key. Don't do anything that will undermine your credibility. Face difficulties and challenges squarely and be gracious to your colleagues. Be reasonable in your interactions with others and by all means be transparent. Operate on principles not emotions.


HEART: You can never really do your best unless you care about what you are doing and the difference it will make. Working with heart means you go the extra mile because your take pride in your work; by being committed and doing your best, you'll become smarter and smarter.

Now take action: Where in your career do you need to go one gear up?