To Get Ahead, Get Things Done

A valued employee is someone who gets things done.

That’s easy to say, but not always so easy to achieve. You may have a long list of reasons why you can’t get things done – too much work, too much bureaucracy, too few resources. While some excuses are valid, many are not.

Those who move up to the next level are workers who are able to get past all those hurdles and achieve success. They are the ones who get things done – and everyone around them knows it.

What are their secrets?

• Don’t think and act; think to act. Conventional wisdom says: “Before you act, you must first think about what you will do” This is a mistake. Nothing will happen if all you ever do is think about things. I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t strategize. Developing good strategy comes from experiencing past actions. It is okay if you start out slow, but first you must act.
• Borrow frameworks. If you’re not sure how to proceed, look around you – at other departments, other companies, even other industries. Read books about leadership and strategy., Many business leaders have read The Art of War and apply military strategy to business strategy. The experience of others may help you discover a framework that can be adapted to your situation.
• Don’t make excuses. There is no such thing as a “special situation” in business. I hear people use that excuse all the time – something can’t be done because of the “special situation” of our business. But it’s not true. No matter the business, the principle that Profit = Income – Expenditures never changes. No matter if you are in the restaurant business, finance, the sustainability business, or the biomedical field, this never changes. Nor do the fundamental principles of marketing or sales. People who get things done know this. They do not make excuses for their businesses.

Do you have any secrets on how to get ahead by getting things done?

Photo Credit: The U.S. Army