KEEPING IT PROFESSIONAL: HOW TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOU

By Jason Morrison, hh2's Director of Implementation

Be genuinely — you!

I have found through my personal experience that becoming a professional in life requires special attention to detail.  It’s the small things that produce big results.

Being a professional and how we handle our daily tasks is a fabric of habit and nothing escapes what is consistently done.

To become a successful and happy professional is understanding how to be genuine and the best versions of ourselves.  It is more than outward appearance, it has to become a passion.  The reality of this is truly who we are.

It sounds pretty easy, right? The problem with simple concepts is, it’s often difficult to do, requires a lot of time and dedication to figure it out.

I have a quote sitting on my desk that I see every day that reminds me about success.  It is a picture of a ballet dancer’s bloody feet with the words, “Everyone wants to be successful until they see what it actually takes.” Nothing worth doing in life is ever easy.  If you want to become the very best version of you, it is going to take a lot of hard work to make it happen.  It will require breaking out of your comfort zone and taking risks that will truly scare you.  It is this type of fear that holds many of us back from our own personal progression.

Steve Jobs has an awesome quote, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t let the noise of others drown out your own inner voice.”

He goes on to say, “You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.  You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.  This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.  The only way to do great work is to love what you do.  If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.  Don’t settle.”

Insightful words from one of the most successful, innovative professionals of our time.  However, let’s be realistic about this.  As insightful is Steve Jobs advice may be, it is a huge challenge for today’s quick-fix and entitled culture.  In our day, it seems if you can’t tell people exactly what to do and how you want it done, it goes in one ear and out the other.

What Steve was talking about and what I am sharing with you now requires both focus and discipline.  It is hard to find now days. Why? Because, focus and discipline are difficult.  It’s so much easier to give into distraction and instant gratification.

Everyone should have their own incentive to take on the challenge of being a better professional and becoming the best version of yourself.  Here are few things that can help you embark on a road to self-discovery and make an impact.

Calculated decisions  

What I mean by this is striving to do everything you do with a calculated purpose.  Pro’s don’t make rational decisions without care; they deliberately choose and make calculated decisions in their daily activities.

Peer engagement

When you speak with others, consider for a moment what type of effect your words might have. Blurting out whatever comes to mind—while often funny—can be damaging professionally.  Pros effectively communicate and interact with their peers. They always lead by example.

Challenge yourself

‍Take time to learn new things and seek out new challenges because it is where you will grow the most.  The Pros take on an attitude of learning new things and are constantly challenging themselves to become better.

Find happiness

‍Get to know yourself and find comfort in your own role.  There is a difference between being comfortable and having zero desire to progress in your professional career.  When you truly understand your role in any position you take on, you can take comfort in seeing the big picture. There is a certain clarity that comes with being happy and comfortable with what you do.  It will reduce your stress, make you a better employee, spouse, partner, parent, friend.  It will make you a better person.

Be the best version of you

Becoming the best version of you is going to be the best journey you embark on.  There are no shortcuts or life hacks.  It is now time to raise the bar.  Just remember that when you put in the work and extra effort, the payoff will be a higher quality of life. The people around you will notice, too.

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