Success requires hard work that may or may not be enjoyable or immediately rewarding. Those who are willing to continue to put forth effort despite all of this (aka,“grind”), are the ones that succeed.
This is true in business, sports, and life.
While relentless hard work and commitment are a necessary component of the cycle of success, understand that the word “grind” suggests that there are non-cohesive aspects of the process. This makes it inefficient, creating a significant imbalance of resources “in” and results “out”.
These poor resource economics are necessary during the initial stages of any important pursuit; however, they make long-term sustainability unlikely.
While the grind can be a significant initial stimulus for growth, embracing it for too long can make it a significant barrier.
A combination of fear, ego, and adrenaline can lead high performers to become addicted to the grind. As with any addiction, it disassociates actions from outcomes. It distracts their ability to evaluate their process as it relates to their goals.
The result is a continuation of strategies and processes that are ineffective, inefficient, and/or unsustainable. Frustration, stagnation, and burnout ensue.
This can manifest in multiple aspects of one’s business and personal life.
Holding on to projects at work instead of delegating them, limiting the ability to do higher-level work.
Embracing difficult and inefficient processes merely because they’re familiar.
Continuing unfulfilling relationships.
Failing to create personal boundaries.
If this unhealthy relationship with the grind sounds familiar, today I want to share 4 “e’s” that have helped my executives continually evolve from #alwaysgrinding to #alwaysgrowing.
Envision: What do you want as the outcome of your efforts? Be as specific as possible. With all your time and energy “in”, what specific result do you want “out”? Is this measurable? How?
Evaluation: Consider your processes for accomplishing the above. Are they efficient? Are they effective? Do you feel they are progressively moving you toward the goal you envision? By what metrics?
What is the resource (time, money, energy) economy of these processes? Is it sustainable?
Enlist the help of a coach or trusted mentor to help you in providing an honest evaluation.
Education: If you realize your commitment to the grind has indentured you to inefficient, ineffective, unsustainable processes, commit to learning better ways. Hire a consultant, seek a coach or mentor, or take advantage of other resources.
Weigh the resource cost of creating a better process vs retaining a less effective one. Which is a greater long-term liability?
Suspend the tendency to immediately discount new ideas. Many of the leaders I’ve worked with are quick to fervently explain why new and different processes won’t work. This is their fear, ego, and addiction tied to the grind preventing them from growth.
Execute: Knowledge is only as good as its application. Know that executing a new strategy or process will initially be difficult and inefficient. In essence, the cure for the grind is often a new temporary grind.
If you struggle with execution, invest in the accountability of a coach or consultant. Not only will they hold you accountable to creating change, they can help you continually grow through your new processes. Again, weigh the resource cost of creating efficiency vs. embracing inefficiency.
The grind is an important component of the success cycle throughout one’s life and career. New growth requires a new grind. However, it’s important to ensure that this period of poor resource economics functions to set the stage for expedited growth in business and life.
