Every day that you are granted the privilege of waking up, you are presented with a myriad of choices. Yet, there is one constant. From the richest person to the poorest. From every corner of the planet and right down to your desk, or hammock or wherever you decide to conduct business. Everyone starts out with the same and equal amount everyday. Deciding how to make the most of this constant is what helps you Stand Out in Your Career.
If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m talking about time. Everyone gets 86,400 seconds every day. Using them wisely can make a difference in your life and for those around you. When you get really good at using them wisely you’ll find your reach goes far beyond your immediate sphere of influence and can have an impact in far off places. Those are very good days.
The 24/7 lifestyle is NOT a prerequisite
You don’t need to be awake or active for each of them. However, I submit you can make the most of your 86,400 seconds if you strive to Inspire, Inform and Instigate… at least a little every day. I consider the act and effort required to Inspire, Inform and Instigate – the Three I’s of Vibrancy. By doing at least a little of each every day the 3 I’s let us know we are alive.
The great thing about the 3I’s is that they work both on you and with you. There will be times when you are tired and need a boost. You may turn to a friend or a book or something else to get inspired, informed or instigated. There will also be times where you are wound up and ready to deliver the 3I’s to yourself, your friends or to the world. And, of course, many times the two are very closely intertwined.
Below are a few ways to think about the 3 I’s that I hope will help you to Inspire, Inform and Instigate. Whether you are the agent of change or whether you are being acted upon by external forces you need to know that you CAN do at least a little of each every day.
Inspire
Whether you are being inspired or inspiring others there are amazing and wonderful things happening all around you. If you just take the time to look.
Don’t just see the world … Notice it! ~Jane Pauley
Inform
Everything is a Teachable Moment. You know a lot more than you think you do. Share what you know. You also can’t know everything. Be curious. Seek knowledge when you can and share knowledge when you can.
Leave the world just a little better every day.
Instigate
If you are feeling stagnant… shift things up. Be an Instigator. Make a change. Be a change agent. If you notice something has become blasé or passé see if you can breathe some life info it. What have you got to lose?
The actions you create today may be like the Butterfly Effect and have a far reaching impact
The constant is a benchmark
We get the same amount of time every day. It’s a yardstick by which we are all measured. No one gets more and some might get less, but it is our time and our choice. How we use our 86,400 defines us and lets us know we are alive. Take the 3 I’s into consideration when you are building your career. The efforts you make today can have a long tail effect. Since no one is getting any unused time back tomorrow, you should strive to make the most of what you have today.
How will you Inspire, Inform, and Instigate in your next 86,400 seconds?
How about the next 86,400 seconds after that?
Think about it. Then lather, rinse and repeat… Do at least a little every day. As you do this you will find that you really will Stand out in your Career and in your Life.
