Dutra-Cerro-Graden Commercial Real Estate Blog

Most people I know always talk about what they would do if they were in charge, having what is commonly known as “Monday morning quarterback syndrome.” What they often fail to realize is that they are in charge. They are in command of their workday and habits they follow while executing their work.

However, in many people I rarely see where their words and deeds match when it comes to delivering on the bottom line. In other words, top performers get results day in and day out. In my opinion, the largest attribute that allows for this consistent high-level performance is good, strong success habits.

The good news is that these habits can be learned and mastered by those willing and able to take their performance to a higher level. Here are 5 quick tips to getting better results:

1. Have a written plan
It is not enough to have a good idea or goals in one’s mind. It is important that these goals, plans, and ideas are documented so they can be reviewed daily. Make a sketch of the destination (goal) and define the necessary tasks to get there. Then, on a daily basis, come to work prepared and focused on those tasks and check them off as they are completed. This is how momentum is established and built upon daily until the goal is reached.

2. Have an executable plan
Make sure the goal and/or destination is realistic and executable. Don’t try to follow pie in the sky dreams, but instead focus on the possible. This doesn’t mean don’t dream big; it just means if you want to sail the world, you can’t do so in a canoe. You will need a sea worthy vessel capable of surviving the worst the open seas have to offer.

3. Push through obstacles and challenges
As I’m sure most people realize shortly after they drop their New Year’s resolutions, it is difficult to start and keep new habits. Go forward knowing that there will be tough days and moments ahead. Life will happen. Frustration, fatigue, anxiety, discouragement and many other things will surely be contended with on your path to success. Anticipate these challenges in advance of them occurring and visualize yourself pushing through. Do not succumb to them and be caught off guard or taken aback by them. Embrace them and welcome them as part of the journey. On days when you feel like you cannot go another step, turn your collar up, face into the wind, and keep walking. You will get to your goal if you don’t stop when the wind blows, because it will be there waiting for you.

4. Do the things you don’t want to do
Not everything we must do is glamorous, fun or exciting. Even for those that appear to be at the top of their game, not every part is sweet. Take the bitter with the sweet and recognize that no task or job is beneath us. As long as it is a necessary part of the overall big picture, just grunt and bear it. Do what you have to do to get through it, but get it done even if you almost die trying.

5. Build a capable team around you
Lastly, and most importantly, we cannot accomplish worthy goals alone. Be smart and build a capable team around you and rely on this team to collectively pull the load towards the finish line. Anything worth doing is often larger than us and our capabilities. Just make sure the people you work with have the requisite competencies and integrity to boot.