Self-Improvement
by Miki SaxonThe other day I was asked the same question by two different managers, one Gen X and the other a leading edge Gen Y.
The subject was improving and strengthening weaknesses.
They both wanted to know if/when enough is enough.
That’s a question I found an answer to a long time ago, so I shared it, with the caveat that just because it worked for me didn’t mean it was right for them.
The short version I shared is that I stop a specific self-improvement effort when the ROI is too low for the energy (mental, physical, psychical) expended; in other words, there is no viable payoff.
Of course, “viable payoff” is strictly subjective, but any self-improvement effort includes certain expectations (your own, not other people’s) that should include a minimum.
Minimum not met means no viable payoff.
That isn’t to say that I fall back on the tired “that’s the way I am;” instead, I always found ways to off-set whatever action or attitude I’d spent energy changing as far as made sense.
Part of this comes from measuring ROI, but it also comes from intelligent prioritizing, which requires the recognition that time is finite and one needs to pick one’s battles.
Perhaps that’s what life, both personally and at work, is really all about—much like the saying that the journey is the best part.
In fact, I hope that when I’m gone those who knew me will say, “From self improvement to self acceptance. A good trip.”
Image credit: JJChandler.com