GET ON THE DANCE FLOOR

I welcome you into the New Year.

If you're reading this, it's an indication that you've been presented another opportunity to realize the fullness of your potentials.

In other words, while you can't dwell on the past (2017), you need to make inference to it in other to improve the present (2018) as well as the future.

The late Zig Ziglar said, "Doing the same things the same way and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity". In my own terms, drinking Fanta continuously and expecting it to taste like Coca-Cola, that's madness.

Stop blaming others for your 'woes', stop seeing the problems in every opportunities, stop seeing the cup as always half empty...

If you expect better results in 2018, then better inputs are required. QED, yes?

From my observations, the workspace has significantly moved away from the era of 'Jack of one trade, master of one...' We are in a phase of Total Service Delivery, end to end.

That being translated means it is no longer enough to be skilful in just one area. To deliver Excellent Service, multiple skills are required!

There's a quote attributed to Albert Einstein, "Everyone is a genius, but when you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing itself to be a failure"

Einstein was wrong!

Yes, everyone is a genius, but in today's workspace, fairness rarely applies to recognition of skills and capabilities.

Competition has become stiffer than it used to be, and singularity of skill is no longer in vogue.

To effectively make a mark in today's workspace, the fish must learn to climb trees, the eagle must learn to swim, the monkey must find a way to fly; to distinguish oneself, diversity of skills must come to the fore!

A senior colleague (@Deen) recently sent me a message which I found inspiring.

It told the story of a man who hired a painter to paint his boat. The painter did the job he was asked to do and got paid as agreed.

Now, the most interesting part... The very following day, the owner of the boat sought out the painter, laden with emotions, bearing gifts and monetary rewards. The painter surprisingly reminded him that he already got paid for the job done.

The boat owner replied, "This is payment for the part of the job you were not informed to do but did anyway".

Here's what happened: The owner's children had come home, and seeing the boat all painted and looking dandy, decided to take it for a spin on the river. When the boat owner realized this, he was filled with fear, believing his children had definitely drowned.

He had forgotten to tell the painter that there was a hole at the bottom of the boat. While still in panic mode, he saw his children arrive safely. Upon checking, he realized the painter had repaired the hole in the boat before proceeding to paint.

His act of TOTAL SERVICE DELIVERY saved lives, and brought him great rewards.

Being a painter isn't enough, you must also learn to mend holes. Doing what you were ASKED isn't enough, you must take initiatives and be proactive.

Your service is not complete until the other party leaves fully satisfied. If you do this consistently, believe me, you will surely become the superstar, the go-to man.

Singularity of purpose is ultimate, but singularity of skill is no longer the route there.

To surpass the feats of the past year, some things have to give: attitudes must change, you must take responsibility for your life, words and actions; you must become a better you!

In this New Year, think diversity, think excellence, think SERVICE.

Opportunities, they say, dance with those who are already on the dance floor. In 2018, I challenge you to position yourself for great achievements.

So, #GetOnTheDanceFloor!

(c) @MotivatedDave, 2018