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100 Ways to Succeed #83:

Don't Forget Why You're Here!

I was talking with a young lawyer, Harvard trained, now putting in her time at a big firm. She allowed as how life was just a whirl of mostly trivial activities. On the one hand that's very normal, and part of the time-honored apprenticeship process. But it's also true that in the midst of all the BS, you often lose sight of why you followed this apparently hallowed path to begin with. I've heard doctors and other professionals say the same thing. At the top of the pyramid, former Secretary of State George Schultz mused on how you come to public service with the highest of ideals, but "you get so caught up in the Power Game, that you forget your worthy aspirations." God knows, on many a long plane delay and the (constant) like, I've wondered the same thing.

(Alas, many CEOs epitomize this. They get so caught up in the earnings game that they forget the fact that they are meant to be "of service" to some worthy, Olympian objective. Perversely, I'm pleased to report, this loss of attention to the basics is the wellspring of earnings that don't measure up.)

I have a little ritual I follow to help get back on track. I take a moment or five and skim either In Search of Excellence or my Stanford dissertation—and remember what I aimed to do in the first place. And how far I have strayed; it helps me get centered, or re-centered.

I suggested to my newfound lawyer acquaintance that she invent some like ritual. And I suggest the same to you: "Why did I take this assignment, or choose this profession? Am I doing everything possible in my current project to hold to the principles that got me into all this? Is my time here up?" Or some such. It's the ritual review rather than its form that's important.

(My suggestion: Do it every 90 days. Better yet, every evening!)

Tom Peters posted this on 03/05/07.

Comments

Put the key elements on a note card. Review it daily. Put it on your mirror. Do something to review it.

Daily.

Good stuff, Tom.

Posted by Joe Ely at March 5, 2007 8:05 AM

I like the idea of creating a personal mission or vision, short and sweet like an elevator speech, that we keep on our mirror and or fridge.

I agree with Joe, it should be reviewed daily. I wish I could say I have that discipline. Thanks Tom for the reminder. M

Posted by Mike at March 5, 2007 8:48 AM

Great advice!

A great way for a lawyer to remember why he/she is there in the first place is to align as closely with the client as possible. Not as easy as it sounds for a young lawyer in a big firm who logs many more hours in the library than in client meetings!

Posted by Erik Mazzone at March 5, 2007 10:53 AM

For me there are three index cards that I review twice a day, before work and at the end of the work day when planning the next day. One card is my purpose, one lists my long term goals, and one lists my main goals for the year.

Posted by Wally Bock at March 5, 2007 10:57 AM

1. Tom - clearly chanting [1st thing while running]: Greed is good - Greed is right - Greed works. Perfect start to the day ... thanks ...

Posted by sean_luxury at March 5, 2007 12:20 PM

Thank You! Given my current circumstance, your post is very timely and a great reminder of what's important and why!

Posted by Andrew Hayden at March 5, 2007 12:21 PM

I was just speaking with a gentleman yesterday about this same topic...how often we get so caught up in the minutia, we lose sight of our purpose/passion (assuming we ever knew it) and we end up spending the bulk ouf our time focusing on stuff that really doesn't matter/make a difference. There is a need to take time away from the day-to-day routine for a 30,000 ft perspective.

We talked about business leaders who seem to care more about Wallstreet than their people and political leaders who care more about votes than the cause. Is it greed or self-preservation that kicks in?

In addition to an index card, it's helpful to have a close, trusted advisor/mentor give us a reality check every once in a while. Someone who isn't afraid to tell us the truth...point out when we are off course.

Posted by Darci at March 5, 2007 12:49 PM

And one I keep posted in the office:

"Do cool shit everyday or die trying"

tom peters

Posted by Mike Neiss at March 5, 2007 1:45 PM

Thanks for shining a light on those who rule us. It struck me that the President in Office is much more into the power game than into fulfilling worthy aspirations. Something he lost sight of when following in the footsteps of dad became more consuming than making a difference. Probably unwillingly Mr. President made a dent in the universe, albeit not the dent a few of us â€“ and then some more â€“ would have liked to see.

The question why you are here in the first place can catapult you to even greater heights when it becomes clear whom you are serving with your talents and skills. That would give you a 'why' and a 'how'.

And as for the President? Keep on voting next time you can. Politics is definitely about more than just power. It's about constructing a legacy shared by those you serve and to do so to such an extent that it will carry on once you are out of office â€“ however you define it. And a final humbling thought: we may have politicians who rule us. However, politics is made by you and me, right here, right now and not just at the end of the day...

Posted by Chris Schreuders at March 5, 2007 2:57 PM

Tom I am often heard to say on client sites "I have better things to do with my life than this..." I could go play with the kids, take a walk on a beach, work in my fantastic garden, read a book, blog on Tom Peters & Co... I can't believe what people put up with in their lives - I am so so lucky because I have a WOW! wife who reminds me often, sometimes everyday, that I do not have to be like them I can choose to be different, to do different things, to have a different life....

Each day I choose to be myself warts and all - that is my mantra....

Richard

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 5, 2007 6:07 PM

Every Chief Executive in every healthcare facility should see at least three patients every week for an hour minimum just to hear the story of the patient experience - how many do it? - I estimate 0.5 % and I am being generous. Chief Executives pay should be linked to the number of customer problems they solved in the last month and that assessment must be completed by customers. Why is that considered such a crazy idea?

I am with Richard - it is wonderful to be reminded about the basics - letâ€™s get grounded - why are we here is surely the question â€“ it is surely to make life easier for others.

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 5, 2007 6:26 PM

1. Am getting a sugar rush reading these posts - they are so sweet & sincere - esp. via Anglophile lapdogs Richard & Trevor ...

2. Clearly though what we learn @ the TP Kool-Aid site is: Greed is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Take the Sean radical "Vow of Luxury" ... living an awesome lifestyle is the best revenge ... >:]

Posted by sean_luxury at March 6, 2007 9:02 AM

Sean

I am feeling guilty I can't leave you with a "sugar rush" it is all acid (it will leave you with heartburn, gas, etc - not good!) and as I believe in a PH balanced diet I must now counter with heaps of "alkaline"...

Greed is dead... Greed no longer works... Greed is right for some people but they are about to become irrelevant... Greed was an integral part of C20th capitalism, its management structures, its leadership, its commercial laws (trademarks, copyrights, patents, etc), its brands, and especially its marketing/advertising/selling techniques... Greed was at the core of the most successful economies ever seen on this planet - the military/urban industrial model controlled by Nation/State governments which drove and then regulated all economic activity into neat industries and sectors.... This is a summary of events and of course has more holes in it than a luxury cheese BUT you will get my drift....

Greed is dead because a new way of being and doing is emerging... It is based on communities not the individual... It is based on free goods and services which means it is inclusive not exclusive (read Richard and Peggy Musgrave on Exclusion Principle to understand how greed markets really work)... It is based on cooperation not collaboration (Microsoft is going the collaboration route because it is a C20th capitalist business - Google+YouTube is the beginning of the cooperation model)... It is based on Virtual You (ie Sean_Luxury)not the Capitalist You (ie Sean $3 million to be a minimalist you).... It does not need Vision, Strategy, Leadership, Brands, Management, etc, etc as we have known them all ours lives... It needs a new set of attributes and traits based on "a clear and present purpose", inclusive behaviours, networked economic activities (including the Tofflers' ideas on prosumers - interesting how swapping goods is all the rage since the Canadian swapped his way from a red paper clip to a house)....

There is more but it is all incubating at Google, Skype, Firefox, Linux, Wiki, MySpace, Facebook, GE Healthcare, etc.....

Trust I have restored some PH balance here... Take care Sean and Sean_Luxury and please continue to THINK WELL because I TRULY BELIEVE YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK!

Richard

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 6, 2007 4:18 PM

We all need to perfect the art of 'Radical Giving' as advocated by the wonderful Nicky Gumbel - Sean can lead the way by giving away $2 million of his $3 million today to front liners :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 6, 2007 6:36 PM

Staying focused and balanced isn't easy. I've learned to ask four questions that help me and my clients do so.
1. What is Our Impact?
2. Who are We Impacting?
3. What Opportunities do We now have?
4. What Problems have We created?
When asked within a time context, say the past 90 days, we can then focus on what we are to do and with whom.
Tom, I've taken your young lawyer friend's situation and applied the Four Questions to her at http://edbrenegar.typepad.com/leading_questions/2007/03/staying_focused.html . It gives an example of actually how the Four Questions can provide focus and direction for achieving a happy, impact-filled life.
Thanks for your success tips. Very helpful.

Posted by Ed Brenegar at March 7, 2007 5:35 AM

I remember a few years ago the company I belonged to merged with another. As is usual with mergers it created all sorts of "change management" issues to say the least. I was brought up really sharp in the midst of all this noise by someone on my team saying "merger, whatever! it doesn't stop my customers phoning me tomorrow"

I often think of that example when I am in the middle of the latest corporate idiocy

Posted by PaulH at March 7, 2007 8:38 AM

1. Richard & Trevor - am I "thinking clearly" to have my every increasing net worth flashing 24/7 on a new 50" HDTV - channel 100?

2. And in sub quadrants to have special video on taking ALL from front-liners - while they pay ALL the tax load ... so that the Lexus-luxury 2-home lifestyle is continued? >:] how to get free viagra

3. Please allow me to refrain: a. Greed is good. b. Greed is virtual. c. Greed is "clear thinking". >:]

Posted by sean_luxury_$3.25M at March 7, 2007 12:21 PM

Sean_luxury_$3.25m

Can not fault your logic - especially when I note the increase from $3 to $3.25m and no tax now that is impressive keep up the good work... But you definitely need a bigger TV... You need a better car - try an Aston Martin DB9 like 007... Only 2 houses? Where is the helicopter and the boat- you just have to have a boat otherwise I can not take you seriously... Only 24/7 you are not really trying are you?

Never forget however that in the virtual world of Google, Skype, et al there are very few taxes - we have no way to tax "free" or "virtual wealth" or "use value" but I have a few ideas on how to switch the burden of it to "virtual front-liners" when they do invent a new tax regime...

At present you end up having all the money and so you have to set up a Foundation or some such instrument to give it all away before you die....

Keep contributing to a better world Sean we all admire you so much for it... After all some one has to do - the front liners are too busy paying their taxes to be able to spend time contributing like you....

Richard

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 7, 2007 4:28 PM

Sean - please send cheque to needy person .. - you have my e mail address :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 8, 2007 8:08 AM

1. Richard - you are reading my mind! I was just thinking precisely because I am such a minimalist - need just 1 Lexus SUV & drive it 8 years - down to 2 suits [Hickey Freeman] - never a need for Armani or Bentley or such ... may be a key to "Vow of Luxury" as minimalist ...

2. Trevor - the !check is in the mail ...

3. Somehow the September '05 latest house I purchased area is 2nd USA-wide in appreciation after Bend, Oregon [1st] - 21% increase ... pure luck ...

Posted by sean_australia at March 8, 2007 10:09 AM

sean_australia

Welcome down under... Your minimalist "vow of luxury" works fine down here even though the water (come to think of it "what water?" nothing but drought down here!) goes down the drain the opposite way...

My type of minimalist has a clear and present purpose - your purpose is a "vow of luxury"... Minimalist never waste resources - time, energy, land, labour, etc - on any item, event, or purchase that does not fit their purpose...

You are my role model of a minimalist with a "vow of luxury"... As such expect an invitation from the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, for an all expenses paid* tour of his country.. Tickets and itinerary in the mail soon so check your mail box....