Have You Ever Won at the Wrong Race?

Dear Essentialists,?

Do you ever feel like you are winning the wrong race?

I once attended an event with some of the most senior leaders from major corporations in the United States. The meeting was in the grand room of a very impressive hotel.?

The surroundings were exquisite. The food was fantastic. Everything spoke to the success these leaders had achieved.?

But as we spent more time together, I sensed something under the surface.?

At one point, some of the leaders began talking about regrets. Many included lost relationships and missed experiences.??

As they spoke, I realized that at times this group of people had won the wrong game.?

You don’t want to win the "I spent more time in my inbox than anybody else" race. You don’t want your tombstone to read. "He checked email."

You want to do great work and have great relationships.

And the key to negotiating that in a culture that emphasizes busyness is to become clear about what you are trying to do and why.?

After you know this, you’ve got to reveal your intent.?

Let everyone know this is the priority project that I am working on, and this is the reason it matters so much.?

What distinguishes top performers in any organization is not their busyness but their ability to focus on what matters and do that consistently over time.?

So that’s the vision:?not to become the busiest person but to become the most valuable person you possibly can.?

A 1-Minute Strategy for Winning the Right Race

1. Become clear on what’s essential?-?List your top priority in your professional and personal life.?
2. Become clear on why it is important?-?Why does this matter so much?
3. Communicate what you’re trying to do and why?-?Reveal your intent. Tell others, “This is the priority project that I am working on. And this is the reason that it matters so much.”

"It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?"??

-?Henry David Thoreau

In gratitude,?

Greg

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