If I were to ask you to give me the main trait, characteristic, or ability that comes to your mind when someone mentions a race horse, you would probably think of words such as fast, speedy, or quick.  If I were to ask you the same question about a grizzly bear, you might say ferocious, frightening, or deadly.  While these are accurate descriptions, it might surprise you to know that a grizzly bear can outrun a race horse.

Many times, we want to do the things we do best all of the time.  My friend and legendary basketball coach John Wooden tells me that college basketball players invariably want to dunk the ball and shoot three-point shots.  Rarely do they want to practice defense or passing.  Defense and passing win championships; therefore, in order to be happy and successful, we often need to become multi-dimensional.

If I were to ask you to visualize Tiger Woods, you would likely picture him hitting one of those towering, unbelievably long drives from the tee of a par 5 hole.  Only the most avid golf fans know and appreciate the fact that, in addition to those gigantic drives, Tiger Woods has one of the highest ranked and most efficient ratings for his play out of sand traps and his putting on the green.  A one-dimensional game may get you onto someone’s highlight reel, but it will rarely win you championships or help you to succeed in your personal and professional life.

You may get noticed for doing one dimension of a task extremely well.  You will be remembered for performing an entire job or skill at a level that makes you successful.  Make a list of all of the tasks it takes for you to be successful in your current job, career, or business.  Realize that each of these tasks are critical to your overall success.  Don’t overlook any roles within your operation. 

Remember, good impressions are made or lost most often based on how your telephone is answered.  If this task is done in a mediocre fashion, it will take someone on your team a tremendous amount of effort and energy to overcome that first impression.  On the other hand, if your telephone is answered promptly and professionally, the stage is set for your eventual success.  

Once you have a list of all the tasks required to be successful, determine which ones you will do yourself and which ones you will delegate.  Delegation should not always be determined solely based upon who does the job best.  A great trial lawyer might be able to answer the phone at his law firm switch board better than anybody else; however, if the operator and receptionist can do the job 99% as well, the efficiencies become obvious.  In order to succeed, you must have the right person at the right place at the right time doing the right thing for the right reason. 

When you start out in life or in business, it may seem as though you are doing everything yourself, and, in reality, you may be; however, there will come a day when you will discover new dimensions of your own talent and have people on your team whose talents will complement and not compete with yours. 

As you go through your day today, consider yourself as the coach that is assessing everyone’s strengths and weaknesses so you can set the stage for your victory.

Today’s the day!