BCG Blog

What Are You Chasing?

More is usually the answer - more wins, more money, more fame. You work for it, plan for it, and network for it but do you ever have enough? Enough wins, enough money, or enough fame? 

The pursuit of more is not only exhausting, it’s a waste of your time. Yea, all that time you spend “grinding” is pointless if it’s in pursuit of the wrong thing.

What are the wrong things? 

Well, money for one. Like everything else, money isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s just money. What we choose to do with it, what we will do to get it, and our purpose for making it will determine the good or bad.

Status, or fame, would be another. Similar to money, the pursuit of status will never fulfill you enough. More simply leads to the desire for more. The likes, rankings, and rewards may lead to short-term motivation and results but it doesn’t provide the substance to maintain. 

Happiness. That’s right, happiness. Chasing happiness is one of the surest ways to not achieve it. With happiness as your focus, comfort becomes the most logical means … and comfort kills. Happiness, like money and status, isn’t something to be pursued; it’s the byproduct of pursuing the right things.

Why Should We Care?
So, what are the right things to be chasing?

These are going to seem simple. They’re not.

Progress. That’s right, progress. One of the most motivating, inspiring things in the world is progress. The feeling that you are further along today than you were yesterday creates an undeniable energy that drives you to do it again the next day … and the next, and the next. Consistent progress is the only path to excellence. ChopChop.

Contribution. When you provide value to someone or something else, you feel needed. The contribution doesn’t need to be publicized or even significant in the eyes of those outside the arena. You must feel like you contributed. That’s it. The feeling of contributing to something outside of yourself is powerful and a worthwhile chase.

Meaning. For some this would fall under faith, it does for me. But, in any case, seeking to understand why you are here and what you are here to do is a noble pursuit that will lead you to a way of life that is unordinary. People who understand their meaning and purpose in life are different. You can tell from the moment you first interact with them. Their presence inspires because how they do everything is an offshoot of their purpose. The simplicity and clarity they live with is clearly the result of a fantastic chase.

REAL TALK - Action Steps
To focus on what you should be chasing is challenging. Most get pulled off track and down the road of the wasted pursuits. Here’s a few ideas on how to help those we lead in this chase.

• Progress 
  • Help your team see it and feel it. Remember, small progress is still progress. Remind them of where they were and where they are now. Show them if you can. As we progress in our chase we often forget where we started. Revisiting the past is a great way to inspire those we lead to continue moving forward.

• Contribution
  • Practice gratitude. Say thank you and be specific. Your team needs to know exactly what they do that is contributing to the success of your team. And, highlight the behind the scene, dirty jobs. Those people receive less appreciation and contribute more than others realize. Make sure they are rockstars on your team.

• Meaning
  • Ask questions and have conversations with team members that show your interest in them outside of the current team. Talk to them about their dreams, successes, and failures. Share yours. Help them to understand they are more than just a clog in the wheel and that they have meaning beyond what they can do to help your organization.

The things we should be chasing seem simple. And, they are. However, simple does not mean easy. The ability and toughness to stay focused on the right chase, is available to all but only embraced by those striving for excellence. Make sure you’re running the right race.

For more information on building excellence in your teams, visit us at www.bluecollargrit.com. 
We would love to know how we could help!

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