Be an "engager"--You don't need to work long hours, but...

After studying successful businesspeople, one finding is that working long hours is no indicator of success.

We can be more successful and work less hours, but we have to inspire, inspect and demand good (or better) work from our associates. If we don't receive that support, then we will be left with either working longer hours to do that work or we'll catch that "disease" and shortchange the work, the client and and eventually our careers.

Really, don't at least 80% of all people end up in these two buckets? They either:

1) Focus on their own time (or effort) and give as little as possible or
2) Focus on pleasing people and don't rock the boat--meaning they work longer and are less effective in the long run

The minority--the real successes--take a different, less comfortable path. They:

1) Commit to doing great, inspired work
2) Are engagers--they engage their clients, co-workers and suppliers in doing great work
3) Face the tough situations--they make sure their ideas are on-track, they demand great performance of themselves and others--even the client has to live up to their promises

These successes, or engagers, have stress for sure, but they also receive the spoils of doing great things--the pride, exhilaration, the camaraderie, and the freedoms (time, money, flexibility) that go along with being a success.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com