I'm constantly haunted by this: don't mistake the urgent for the needed, the activity for the value, the short term for the future, intensity for commitment.
We see it in day to day work.
If we're busy, then we often think it is a good day. And emtionally, that's certainly better for most of us than not being busy. But if you put enough low-value, reactive days together, one finds that very little real progress is being made. And it can be demoralizing.
If you look at your business or career and realize that you are doing the exact same thing you were doing five years ago, then you better be a professional whose market isn't changing or whose expertise doesn't require evolving (yeah, I know there isn't one).
On the other hand if you are like me and not independently wealthy, then you have to take the time to review what you are doing, how you are doing it and how you can truly make a difference for the people you work for and the people who work for you.
Its there; that difference to make is there. And I assure you that you are sharp enough to see it and move that direction. Just give yourself a chance. Because the math is clear; either we find a way to evolve and make a differnce or guess what? We just don't really matter. And that's usually not acceptable to our firm or to our own conscience.
If you need one, here's a starting point. In the next one-on-one meeting ask the person what would make a difference in their professional life. Explore it together.
