The To-Do List. Saying No. Quit Whining (culled from The Professional)

The To-Do List 

I cannot remember a time when I did not make to-do lists. Each morning, I look at what I need to accomplish that day, and in the evening I check off all the things I did. It is my small victory over time…
The to-do list is nothing but a set of goals- not the big goals of life, but the small day-to ones we have to get through on our way to achieving our vision. Goals have a powerful ability to shape our behaviour, motivate us, create energy… once you build goals, you enter the virtuous cycle by which when you are close to achieving a goals, newer goals appear, and this process keeps you going. This is the essence of the purpose-driven life…
The issue some people face is not the absence of a goal, but rather the presence of too many and the lack of prioritization. I find many young people wanting to learn a new language, enrol in a personal development program, join a gym, read a book, write a blog, run a marathon and socialize, all at the same time. It is important to prioritize one’s life. ask what is really important to you. Also ask yourself why that thing is so important and whether you are willing to commit yourself completely to it.

Saying No

It is surprising how the inability to say no results in time wasting, poor prioritization and the feeling of always being rushed and behind deadlines. I am constantly surprised by the number of people who attend meetings in which they have no interest. It is a criminal waste of human potential. Do not attend meetings just because you get invited to them; say no when you know you have no value to add to the discussions. You will be surprised how your forthrightness will eventually evoke admiration…
…Attend meetings in which you have a solid viewpoint and can add or receive value…
As a professional, you must set the limits, and when you do, people will respect you for it.

Quit Whining (about your job)

Jobs are not meant to satisfy us. Jobs do not know who we are, what we are seeking and what our special needs could be. You may think this is a mere philosophical statement. On the contrary, I believe it is the most practical and rewarding way of looking at a professional’s career. When I see scores of successful people around me, I believe their achievements are due largely to such a perspective.
Some people dislike their work, some like the salary but not the work; some dislike their boss yet others dislike their colleagues. In some cases people dislike the idea of work itself. A professional realizes that work is a blessing and, most of the time, it is therapeutic. We are lucky we have work to do. Every day, increasing numbers of people in this world feel left out, unlucky, because they have woken up to a morning without any work…
Many professionals argue that it is not the work they do that bothers them; they are bored with routine. “I seek challenge” is the headline on most resumes. The world goes around because of its capacity to be predictable. The bees and other insects pollinate the crop so that we can get our food with “monotonous” regularity. Imagine the sun getting bored with its work or the Earth feeling bored with its axis? Routine things done well make life livable.
And what is not routine about a cardiac surgeon who operates on people every day? Or a pilot who flies airplanes? …the great challenging job is often an illusion; making the routine interesting is the real challenge.
Sometimes, we have genuine problems at work. We may be underemployed or stymied in our quest for advancement, or have toxic bosses and difficult colleagues. The way out is to face up to the problem. Speak to someone in the organization or even an outside trained counsellor. Discuss the issue, find a solution, be open in examining how much of the problem is because of you or your own insecurities. Try to correct yourself. If you find the organizational fit is wrong, find another job- but do not whine. It simply does not help…

Culled from: The Professional by Subroto Bagchi. 

The book is a must read for young professionals :-) Happy Monday! Have a fabulous week ahead!!