Career Intensity

An athlete's training schedule holds an important lesson for those looking to develop a successful career.

At the beginning, an athlete may run 5 miles in one hour. As they get better, they move their time down to 55 minutes, then 50 minutes. At this point, they decide to add a 6th mile - which moves their time back up to 60 minutes. With more training, they improve their time, again to 55, then 50 minutes. And then they add a 7th mile, and the cycle repeats.

Consider what has happened: they've moved from 5 miles in 60 minutes, to 7 miles in 50 minutes. They have gone farther in less time. And for doing this, they are faster, and stronger.

The concept of intensity (accomplishing more in less time) is critical for career success, not just because it helps you achieve your career goals faster, but because it leaves you stronger too.

This week's action item: Where can you increase your career intensity? Choose at least one task that you will "train" on: set time and quality goals, and then strive to beat them each week. On your mark, get set, go!

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Copyright © 2006 Knowledge to Action Press and Randall Craig. All rights reserved.

Publication Date: October 3, 2006