“What” we do to become successful is important. A lot of people and organizations do the right things to be a success, but some are more successful than others. Two different organizations can implement the exact same procedures with a similar talent base, and one organization will succeed more than the other. All professional sports teams have great talent, great training and top notch technical competencies. There is not that much difference in what all teams do in preparation for competition. There are standard ways to prepare that almost all teams use.
The biggest difference between the champions and the last place teams is not what they do. It is the “how” and the “why” they do what they do that separates the pack. “How” and “Why” we do things is what creates a winning culture. The culture of an organization comes from “How and Why.” Culture doesn’t come from what we do, but from the way we do it.
HOW
“How” how we do things is vital to our approach when we face a challenge. How we do things in a successful organization is best summed up by this: OWN IT – EARN IT – PROVE IT. When we strive for greatness, get the edge by taking ownership, working purposefully with great effort, and shining at game time. These key aspects allow us to to rise above the crowd.
OWN IT! Taking responsibility and accountability for yourself and your goals is the first element of true success. This is commitment to the mission and plan. At this point, greatness begins and laser focus towards the goal can happen. Ownership grows commitment and toughness that leads to success. Jimmy Buffett and Mac MacInally have a song called “It’s My Job” that describes this perfectly:
It’s my job to be different from the rest
And that’s enough reason to go for me.
It’s me job to be better than the best
And that’s a tough break for me.
It’s my job to be cleaning up this mess
And that’s enough reason to go for me.
It’s my job to be better than the best
And that makes the day for me.
Jimmy Buffet/Mac MacInally
What you do is worthwhile, so take pride in the work, believe in the mission and be accountable.. The hope we have for something great begins to materialize when it is searched for with passion and pride. We tend to find what we are looking for in life. If we seek the negative, we will find it. If we seek opportunity, we will find it.
Own what we seek and it will happen because we are invested completely. It is good to take ownership because it is a commitment to something worthwhile. This commitment is where success begins and where it is maintained. We never fall into success, we work to it. In order to work into success we have to take ownership of our goals and actions.
EARN IT! Success is achieved and developed through purposeful hard work. Edison said, “I see no virtue, where I smell no sweat.” It is never easy to achieve goals. Hard work prepares the body, mind, and soul. Actions always have to match intentions to become elite. What we do always speaks louder than what we say. Actions, not our words, determine who and what we become as a team and as individuals. Do not tell me what you are going to do, show me.
PROVE IT! Show the manifestation of goals by having the courage to lay it all on the line and fight for success when the time comes. When a challenge is presented, rise up and be great. Prepared for success and seize opportunities when they are presented. Decided to win come hell or high water. Be at your best when your time comes.
WHY!
Let us show the whole world that a man defending his home is superior to any mercenary on earth. -George Washington
George Washington rallied his troops in the Revolutionary War with this belief. The revolutionaries took ownership and a group of ragtag soldiers defending their homes defeated the greatest military force in the world. Their tactics were not better than the British, nor were they more talented. They took more ownership because they were defending their homes. They fought to heaven’s own height and did not rest until the mission was complete. They had a bigger reason or “Why” to fight. When we know the “why” in our goal, we refuse to lose because the goal is bigger than just the individual.
Jarimer Jagr, the great hockey player, had his reason for greatness. Jagr wore the number 68 throughout his incredibly successful and long career in the NHL. His number was his “Why.” The number 68 was in honor of his uncles that fought and died in the Czech Rebellion in 1968. These men were his inspiration because they fought to obtain freedom from the Communist dictatorship. This rebellion ultimately led to Jagr having the freedom to pursue his hockey career in a free society. These men fought and died for him to have the opportunities that he capitalized on. Jagr honored them every time he took the ice. He played for something bigger than himself and honored it with his effort, toughness and skill.
It’s bigger than me! The lasting and worthwhile “Why” is always about something more than the goal in front of us. It may be to honor something like Jarimer Jagr did or to prove something to someone. The “Why” is personal, but there is some inspiration behind it. It must also be intrinsic to last. The “Why” provides passion to persist and excel. Find it and there is no other option but to succeed.
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