There is an old adage, “If you want something done, ask someone who is already too busy!” It sound ludicrous, but ask anyone who manages or leads others and they will tell you it is absolutely true. Somehow, these busy people have a handle on getting things done, even when they are already swamped with other projects. If something important comes up and it needs to get done, you can count on them. I call these people high-capacity people. They are the ones who can be counted upon to make things happen, squeeze one more thing into the flow chart, and remain sane and mostly pleasant in the process! These are the people you want to have on your team, and this is the way you, as a leader, want to be. Being high-capacity gains you respect and acknowledgement, provides you with opportunities, keeps you focused on what’s important, and helps you to never be bored!
Great leaders are high-capacity people. People count on them and they get things done. I promise you that this is the way to be if you really want to make an impact on the world around you. Now, I am not saying that you should say yes to every opportunity or assignment that comes along. No one can do everything, not even the highest of high-capacity people. But, I bet you can do more, and when you do it intelligently and strategically, your impact will be huge. Here are three tips on how to be high-capacity.
Be great with your time. You’ve heard me say before that you can invest, spend, or waste time. You have to discipline yourself to primarily invest, spend some on things that really matter, and never, ever waste time. You can’t earn more. Once it’s gone, you never get it back.
Be strategic and have your priorities straight. Once people know that you are high-capacity, you’ll get all kinds of requests. You need to know what is most important for your family, career, and future so that you can say yes only to the things that will help you get from where you are to where you want to go. An example of this is in your professional life. If you have a reputation of getting things done, you’ll be asked to do stuff! Before that happens, think through what kinds of things you should step up to do and what won’t make any difference. Also, know who you say yes to and who you say no to. Remember, you can’t do everything. Sometimes it’s best for everyone if you let someone else do a task or a project. Know the difference between something that’s great for you to do, and something that’s only good. Say yes to great.
Know where you’re going and why. This relates to priorities, but it’s bigger. So many people simply limp along, accomplishing the minimum because frankly, they have no idea where they are headed in their career, relationships, or life in general. Take some time to develop a plan for where you really, no really, want to be in a few years. I am currently on a 15-year plan which I developed a little while back. I have clear direction as to why I do the things I do, and I know exactly where I want to end up. This is not goal setting – this is life direction. So when I make decisions that affect my capacity to get things done, every one of them has to fit into my end in mind. Live your life on purpose! Don’t do anything that doesn’t take you another step forward. Let me say that again. Don’t do anything that doesn’t take you another step forward.
I encourage you to try these three things in order to increase your capacity as a leader. You will be amazed at how effective and impactful you become. But watch out: when you do, someone is going to ask you to do one more thing!
Lead well.