Thought Bubbles: Focus on Performance, Not Power

Quote of the month for July, 2009

I have a bad habit. My life’s greatest ambitions come to memory when i switch of my bedroom light and try to get some sleep. So, i lay in my bed awake for a long time thinking about the glory when i get there. While having big ambitions in life is good, i think i am wasting a lot of time thinking about the day when i get there. It doesn’t help me much and worse, reduces the energy for next day.

Recently i read the following story by Colin Powell, former secretary of US state and a retired four star General and it had a transformational effect on me.

“There was a brand-new second lieutenant who was very ambitious and wanted to be a general. So one night at the officer's club the young officer spotted this old general sitting at the bar. So he went up and said, "How do I become a general?" And the old general answered, "Son, you've got to work like a dog. You've got to have moral and physical courage. There may be days you're tired, but you must never show fatigue. You'll be afraid, but you can never show fear. You must always be the leader." The young officer was so excited by this advice. "Thank you, sir," he said, "so is this how I become a general?" "No," said the general, "that's how you become a first lieutenant, and then you keep doing it over and over and over."

Throughout his career, Powell says he had always tried to do my best today, think about tomorrow, and maybe dream a bit about the future. But doing your best in the present has to be the rule.

You won't become a general unless you become a good first lieutenant.

Ground Rule: Do your best in the Present. Focus on Performance, Not Power