Why do I not get results in spite of my working hard? What blocks me from getting results? This are haunting questions in the minds of many aspiring young Managers in the corporate sector.
Why do some people not get results for their work? This is a very relevant question. Are you happy with the results you have been getting, with what you deliver on the job front? Are you able to rise up to your employer’s expectations? If you are not getting the expected results, have you ever made an introspection into the reasons for the same? Have you ever found any factors that block you from results? Have you ever attempted any course correction? You have to remember that a team’s performance is thenet effect of individual performances and if individuals do not deliver, the team will not get results. So it is high time that an introspection was made, if not already done. If you are not getting results, it is quite possible that some of the factors enumerated below are holding you back from achieving results. Most of these factors might apply to individuals in all walks of life.
1. You procrastinate? – Some people keep putting things off. They talk about how they want to do something but they do not act on it. They procrastinate on taking action
because the situation is not painful enough for them yet. However, the times when it does become painful enough are often the times when it is too late to do anything.
Either you start taking action, or you forever lay in peace.
2. You underestimate your goal? – Almost all the time, people fail because they underestimate what it takes to achieve their goals. What should they do then? They
should over-commit their resources and review their progress constantly.
3. You spend more time defending problems than taking action? – Some complain how they are not getting XYZ results. When others try to give them suggestions, they
spend more time justifying why those suggestions will not work and defending their lack of results than brainstorm with them on how to get out of their rut. It makes sense
spending less time talking about your problems and use that time to think about solutions. Then act on them. You will get a lot more results this way, and you will be happier.
4. You get too enclosed in your own world? – Some people do not venture out beyond their normal routine. They do the same things, talk to the same old friends, act the same
way, circle around the same issues. It is no wonder they stagnate. Open yourself up – take active steps to grow. Get to know more people who are driven, positive and
focused. Get new, refreshing perspectives. Read new books. Ask for feedback on how you can improve.
5. You’re not working smart? – You do the same thing over and over, even when you do not get results? If you are not getting what you want, it is a signal it is time to change
what you have been doing. See how you can do this in a different, smarter, more effective way. Look at people who have achieved the same results before, and learn
from them.
6. You avoid doing things for fear of failure? – You avoid taking action because some of the things you have to do frighten you? You fear of failure? You rather delay the
process as much as possible. Unfortunately, results are not going to come automatically from delaying. Results come to people who pay their dues, not people who avoid the
work. The fear is not going to go away by waiting. Face the fear and do it anyway. We have seen many instances in history where the most notable winners had encountered
heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they did not fear about failures and refused to become discouraged by their defeats.
7. You are easily distracted? – You get distracted by things thrown in your way? Your attention gets diverted from your goals? Your ability to stay focused is instrumental
to achieving your results. Be clear of what you want and stick to it. Do not let anything or anyone distract you. Believe that these are the obstacles the universe sends
your way to see how serious you are about getting what you want.
8. You over-complicate situations? – This is common among the neurotic perfectionists. If you are a neurotic perfectionist, you blow the situation out of proportion and create this mental image which is so complicated that it is no wonder you do not get anything done. Remember that all problematic situations are the outcome of our own responses and reactions. What direction a problematic situation takes and how fast the problem gets resolved depend on how we respond and react to the situation. Instead of allowing the situation to control us, we should control the situation. Things are usually simpler than you think – be conscious when you are adding unnecessarily complications for yourself.
9. You give up too easily? – You give up before you even get anywhere? All big goals come with a dipping point where it appears that nothing you do is giving you results. That is normal. This is the point that differentiates those who deserve the goal and those who are just taking a casual attempt at it. Realise that there is no “easy” way out, and
all goals have their own set of obstacles to be overcome. Persevere, press on, and it is a matter of time before you reap the fruits of your labour.
10. You lose sight of your goals? – You settle for less, forgetting the goals you once set? If so, you are just stifling yourself and making do with what you have. This is not who you are meant to be. You have to first reconnect with your inner desires. What are your biggest hopes and dreams for your future? What is the future you want to create for
yourself? We have seen in this book that people perform to the best of their ability only when their mind merges with their goals, when the urge to perform, the zeal to excel, the spirit of performance overpowers them.
11. You are too stuck in your ways? – You insist on doing things a certain way? You do not open yourself up to new ideas? If so, you will remain stuck in your situation. Open
yourself to new methods. Experiment. You can only improve if you are willing to try new things.
12. Does your attitude require a correction? – Any of your attitudinal traits stand in the way of your achieving results? A closed mindset? Lack of enthusiasm? Casual approach to the task on hand? Lack of concern for showing results? Lack of dedication to the task on hand? Lack of confidence? Or anything else? These are all negative attitudinal traits. We have seen that positive attitude is the fuel for success and it builds up one’s personality and it always pays, while negative attitude takes away even what is due to you. Positivism begets positivism. Negativism creates irreparable damages to one’s life.
13. You are not using your intelligence, your skills? – It isbelieved that most people do not use even ten per centof their brain’s potential in their lifetime. Many do not
constructively use their intelligence and skills. We feel appalled if we get less value for our money after buying a product, but do we care how little of our ability we utilize? We often look for utmost efficiency in equipments and gadgets. But we often forget that we have unlimited power, talent and capacity within ourselves waiting to be unleashed. The only shortcoming is that many do not realize this. This is like owning a five-geared car, but driving down the highway called life in first or second gear never shifting to higher gears. Utilize your full potential and see the heights you can scale.
14. You are not passionately attached to your job? Only if you are passionately attached to your job, you will get job satisfaction. Then high standards in performance
will become your prime motto. Nothing else will bring the best out of you. A job becomes a career only when the employee sets clear goals for his professional advancement and strives for achieving them. Realise that career mindedness and a passion towards the job are indispensable for an employee who expects a great future
in his job.
These are some of the important factors which determine whether employees get results for their efforts for career advancement. They have been drawn from real practical life.
If you are an employee who is not getting expected results inspite of your working hard, see where you have got stuck by browsing through these posers. If you think it is now time fora course correction, do not wait, go for it. It will pay you rich dividends.
