Achieving Greatness

Maybe it is the hour that I am writing this, but do that many adults really need that much life coaching? This seems like common sense from top to bottom.

If I read this and was shocked into a life epiphany, I think it would be the most depressing moment of my life.

I look forward to reading some of your other entries as they look more specific and more highly detailed. You are obviously good at what you do, given your credentials. Maybe I have just been a goal orientated person my whole life so this just seems extremely basic and something that anyone would know.

Shakes,

While I think you are correct, that most of this is pretty basic, and I am sure, somewhere in us all, we do indeed know it, I find that occasionally I get off track, & caught up in what I am doing at the present moment, and these types of reminders serve not as epiphanies, but more as sanity-checks, which I think we can all benefit from occasionally.

I think being goal oriented is a very important thing, but often not as easy as it sounds given the pressures & responsibilities we all face.

Good luck reaching your goals, & here's hoping I reach mine, as I am following the "H" for hard

Retired now, BUT ! Came from an exetended family of successful people doing good things in this world. Those genes didn't end up in my DNA.

I floated along, thinking that if I worked hard and treated others well, all good things would happen. Had good friends, bosses liked me, but I was getting nowhere.

Until I learned to set goals and submit to them, I just fluffed along. I cheated by associating myself with groups of folks who were working toward goals and really measuring their progress. I joined in the game and found myself doing the same at work and in my personal life.

All these years, I've been in and out of that mode. Progress in the mode, little if not in the mode.

For those who consider goal setting Common Sense, that is why you chose Engineering. What better field ? Where else are things and progress measured so well.

Having run my own design business for over 25 years now, I think the goals and achievments are basic common sense.

If my business had only lasted one or two years then I would have had only myself to blame...

Also, I feel the term 'greatness' is a bit misleading, maybe a better word would be 'successful' ????

I am not trying to be argumentative when I say this, but I have found in my dealings with people that common sense is not very common after all - especially in the business world.

Dr Doug

Agreed..... I too have found this to be the case....

Who was it who said "common sense is wisdom in its working clothes..."??

I still think the term 'greatness' is a bit over the top....?

How about this...

Let's make this discussion a little more individualized.

Post a current goal you have so everyone can learn/benefit - and I will respond with feedback on how it does or does not fit into the C.H.A.M.P. process.

Remember, the C.H.A.M.P process is simply designed to help you increase the probabilities of you reaching your goal.

Any takers?

Dr Doug

Ok, my current goal is to get promoted to the next grade level (principal engineer) in my organization. The basic job description would be to be in charge of the rotating machinery aspects of a large project or operating unit, to manage a number of other engineering staff, and to be the primary technical decision maker on safety or other critical decisions. People in this role are generally recognized experts throughout the global organization and have global responsibilities as well. I think I am fully up to it, and I look forward to the challange and responsibility.

So steps I have taken so far:

1) I accepted a lateral job change (no advance in grade) to come to Malaysia. This will give me greater global exposure.

2) In the new role I moved from being a individual contributer to being a team lead in order to demonstrate my ability to lead a manage others.

3) I have volunteered to develop global engineering standards (something that is necessary, but pretty tedious and that not many people want to do) in order to get global exposure.

4) I have applied for positions at the higher job grade, as much to make my intention and interest known as in hopes of getting the job.

5) I have volunteered for other assignments that demonstrate my ability and flexibility, including working on problems in parts of the world where most people do not want to go.

Next steps from here include:

1) Carrying on with more of the same from above.

2) Sitting down with both my next level manager, and his boss to review my development plan.

3) Enrolling in internal leadership development courses.

4) As we reorganize accepting additional people on my team.

5) I have been added to the leadership team, and while I don't have the grade that is my goal, I try to demonstrate behaviors consistent with a person who does in my dealings with others.

6) Making it well known throughout the organization that I am flexible to move and change assignments at any time.

7) Try to maintain a positive attitude most of the time.

I fully expect to achieve my goal with in the next two to three years.

So CHAMP me.... I know for sure I am missing some of your elements...

And C.H.A.M.P. you I will.

First element would be to break down each segment of your plan (which really is what you listed) and identify which parts are entirely IN your control and which ones are NOT ENTIRELY in your control.

To your credit, it appears that everything you identified is IN your control. Good job.

Next, H (hard), once again, you identified several elements that require you to push yourself (ie. #1, #3, #5). Good job.

Next, A (accountable)

I don't see much of that here. You may be implying it through your decision to relocate or join a leadership development course or taking on new roles; but I would suggest you find a process of holding yourself accountable. Maybe by keeping some type of self-ranking chart on a daily or weekly basis (i.e. rank yourself A, B, C, D) based on the amount of focus, effort, intensity that you put forth each day or week. Putting in a layer of Accountability will prevent you from just going through the motions on many of these points (which sound somewhat tedious and painful to some extent) and instead of "trying to maintain a positive attitude" you will require yourself to on a consistent basis over the next few years.

As far as M (measurable) I would like to see a deeper level of how you plan on tracking your progress along the way – two to three years is a long time. You have identified specific areas you want to work towards that lead you to achieve your greater goal. That is good process focusing towards achieving an outcome. That being said, I think you would benefit from measuring how much progress you are actually making. One way to do this would be to have a % completion element to each individual goal (item). That will keep you on target and focused throughout the entire process. I will tell you right now, it will not be fun, but you will get more efficient results from your efforts if you do it.

And finally P (positive), you did word all of your goals in a "positive" light by telling yourself "what you will do" rather than "what you will not do" – so you nailed that part as well.

To recap, strong work on laying this out. Thank you for taking me up on my offer.

I suggest you revisit A (accountable) and M (measurable) in order to optimize this goal.

Great job.

Any one else interested in throwing a goal up there to be discussed?

Dr Doug

Doug,

Always a pleasure. I would have to agree that we do ,from time to time, lose track of our goals for many reasons and sometimes need someone or something to put us back on track both professionally and personally.

You may recall that for the past year or so I have been going through a very troubling time and it has taken it's toll on every facet of my life. I stopped looking at my goals,forgot them completely,due to the pressures of the moment but I'm ready to start over.

This post reminded me of where I should be and made me look at where I am. Yes, this is all kind of "common" knowledge but sometimes the common becomes uncommon or skewed due to things that we can't control.

Thanks, your timing is amazing.

very welcome.

Thank you so much DrDoug. I don't know how I could have worked this out without your assistance.

Now all that remains is the trivial matter of implementation.
I'm in R&D. Measurable along the way? Yes, sure, I know that I'm on a path to a great solution, just that little problem to solve - whoops, that one turns out to be a basic material property.

You say any-one can achieve inner greatness using your methods? .

You omit Focus, Effort and Realism

CHAMP may be just enough to delude yourself, and the very fact that I'm answering this blog means I'm postponing doing what is needed to make me great.

To those who think this is 'duh' stuff:

Sometimes stuff like this is seemingly simple and easy to understand, but in practice, it is often a whole different ballgame.

For Example: I always have the goal to get good grades in my classes. The first couple days, I am organized and stay on top of things. But as classes become harder, the once easy goals (like take extravagant notes and pay astute attention) fall ever-slowly behind. The goals became harder and I often do not hold myself accountable and just get it done! I end up getting lost in the steps and feel as though it is out of my control.

Haven't you ever looked at something so seemingly simple and it just gets harder? I am sure many have been discouraged from something and didn't follow through with their goals; perhaps because they didn't hold themselves accountable or didn't see enough success so that it could be measured.

'Duh' stuff doesn't always come easy and in the middle of a process is when you really have to focus on the steps and follow through.

I guess then it is an discussion of whether or not this is about knowing what to do vs. actually doing it...

Doug,

The five letters seem to accomplish all basics for achieving greatness. Let me add 3 more to become great CHAMPION.

C, H, A, M, P as per Dr. Doug's version. Plus

I- Intelligence,

O-Open mind,

N- Never give up attitude.

I like the creativity there....but if you are talking specifically about traditional cognitive intelligence, then I am not sure how relevant "intelligence" is to achieving inner greatness- Other forms of "intelligence" fit well (i.e. emotional intelligence), however.

Doug