The Sunday Mail
Rutendo Gwatidzo
Who deserves success?
Victory does not discriminate and belongs to everyone who fights for it.
However, success does not come through just fighting in any way, it comes from fighting using winning strategies.
The road to success is not an easy one to tread on because you will come across challenges.
Many times you may even feel like giving up.
Imagine after probably putting in all the commitment that you can muster and all the resources that you have, you may still face obstacles.
My experience
Personally, I tried a good number of projects that did not go well even after I had put in everything.
Failing to achieve what you desire can be heartbreaking and devastating.
A few times I was fortunate enough to make short-lived profits.
With some of the projects I made losses and with some I could barely make ends meet to survive.
One day, I came across someone who shared the same experiences as myself of failing to make it in business.
He told me that at some point he thought business was not meant for him.
He then thought that he was probably meant to do charity work.
His thinking was that since it was voluntary work, he could do things at his own pace and according to how he saw fit.
Little did he know that even charity can be turned down by the beneficiaries if not properly done.
Why would someone reject free services? The question got me thinking hence together we started doing research.
We consulted with at least ten prominent people including entrepreneurs and business people, those who are employed and are doing well and constantly climbing the corporate ladder and lastly those running non-profit organisations.
One thing stood out from this research which changed our thinking and the trajectory of our efforts.
I got so excited about it and I decided to share the secret with everyone reading this article.
The secret
Productivity does not guarantee success. Getting the right people does not guarantee success as well because the right people might be doing the wrong thing.
On the other hand, one might get the wrong people and if they do the right thing then they are likely to succeed.
Success entails having a team that understands the difference between efficiency and effectiveness and when to apply the two.
According to Thomas K Connellan, efficiency is doing things right.
Effectiveness is doing the right thing.
Research has shown that it is possible for average people to get ahead and earn more ahead of their “special” straight-A peers.
This is probably because they understood that doing things right is better than simply doing the right thing.
A prominent businessman and speaker in the United States of America once said: “The proper utilisation of our time and resources involves some truths which are so simple and basic but many people miss them completely. We need to understand that there is no point in doing well those things you shouldn’t be doing at all.
“When you take on a task, ask yourself if it is something you should be doing or it is something that someone else should be doing.”
It is, therefore, important to focus on effective use of time rather than efficient use of time.
An extract from one of Zig Ziglar’s books reads: “My wife and I recently checked into a nice hotel and immediately went to the restaurant for dinner.
“I explained to the hostess that we were both very hungry and in a hurry.
“The lady pleasantly said no problem.
“Ten minutes later I had to ask the nearby wait person if she could get someone to take our order.
“She smiled and said she would be happy to do so.”
To cut the story short, the lady came back after another ten minutes later full of smiles, with bottles of water and disappeared.
After another ten minutes she then came back to get the orders.
Eventually after about a full hour of waiting the couple decided to leave.
The manager interceded and apologised profusely.
I believe that many of us might have lost business because of such scenarios.
The whole team was courteous, friendly and pleasant, but they were not efficient in delivering what was needed.
Many probably focus on being effective and not efficient yet, efficiency is what counts the most.
Food for thought
Allow me to leave you with this food for thought from the bible from Matthew 21:28-30 which reads: “What do you think?
“A man had two sons and he went to the first and said, “son go and work in the vineyard today,” And he answered and said “I will not”, but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
And he went to the other son and said the same.
And he answered “I will go sir,” but did not go.”
Whom between the two do you think was successful in executing?
Whom do you think deserves the efficiency crown?
Whom do you think everyone wants to be associated with?
As you put your 2022 plans into action, do it efficiently and success will follow you. Be challenged, be encouraged, be inspired and make a difference.
Combine a pleasant, positive attitude with efficient service and you will prosper in what you do.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is an entrepreneur, HR consultant, team builder, transformational speaker and author. Contact: 0714575805/ [email protected]/Rutendo GwENDS_
