Why Some Professionals Are 800% More Productive Than Others
Have you ever wished you had more control over your career?
Here’s something surprising: in jobs with low flexibility, like clerical or skilled labor jobs, the difference between an average and a top performer is about 20%.
But in jobs where people have more control, where they decide what to work on and how to spend their time, top performers can be up to 800% more productive than average ones!
If you want to increase your impact and rewards at work, the key is to move from simply doing work to having more control over what you do.
The question is, how do you do that?
Step 1: Grow the Pie
Think of your company’s work as a big pie. Your share of that pie depends on how much value you add.
If you only focus on doing work that has already been sold, your impact is limited. You can be excellent at your job, but your growth is capped by the amount of work available.
The real change happens when you help bring in more work. When you help your company grow its business, you become more valuable.
You’re no longer just doing work, you’re creating new opportunities. This gives you more job security and a greater ability to choose the projects that excite you.
Step 2: Keep Doing the Work
A common mistake people make when trying to grow in their careers is thinking they need to stop doing their current work and start selling. But that’s not the case.
The best business developers are often the best experts in their field. When you keep delivering excellent work, you build trust with clients and colleagues.
Trust is the foundation of new opportunities. Your job isn’t to “sell” in a traditional way. It’s to help others by showing them how you and your company can solve their problems.
Step 3: Make Your Own Organization Your First Client
Before you start looking for new work outside your company, look inside first.
Learn what your colleagues do. Explore how different teams work together. Offer to help on projects that connect different areas of expertise.
By broadening your understanding of your company’s capabilities, you’ll be in a better position to help clients in new ways. Instead of just solving pre-existing problems, you’ll start discovering new ones that your company can address.
This shift from executing work to creating possibilities will make you invaluable.
Step 4: Learn from the Best
When I first started focusing on business growth, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to say or how to approach clients.
But I was lucky. I had a mentor who guided me. Learning from someone who had already succeeded saved me years of trial and error.
If you can, find a mentor at your company, who is great at bringing in work. If that’s not an option, seek advice from books, videos, or training programs that can teach you these skills.
The faster you learn, the sooner you’ll see results.
Step 5: Focus on Actions, Not Just Outcomes
Most people set big goals, like “win $1 million in new business, ” but they feel frustrated when they don’t see immediate progress.
Instead, focus on consistent actions that lead to success.
- Set aside 15 minutes every week to plan how you’ll build relationships.
- Make a list of the top people you should stay in touch with. Those who can help you grow.
- Then, each week, choose three actions to deepen those relationships.
If you follow this system, new opportunities will come naturally over time.
Step 6: Build Relationships Before You Need Them
Most business deals don’t happen in high-pressure sales meetings. They happen before that, through relationships built over time.
Start reaching out to people just to check-in. Ask about their challenges. Look for ways to be helpful, even if it doesn’t immediately benefit you.
Over time, these relationships will lead to new opportunities because when the time comes to choose someone for a big project, they’ll think of you first.
The Key to Career Growth
If you want more control over your career, don’t just focus on the work in front of you. Look for ways to bring in more work, build stronger relationships, and increase your influence.
Start small: learn more about your company, reach out to colleagues, and make time for relationship-building each week.
Over time, these simple actions will put you in control of your career and help you grow in ways you never imagined.
Mo
P.S.
We have a video on this very topic that you can check out here!