Weekly Thought Archives > Don't Let Them See You Sweat

Don't Let Them See You Sweat

Make results your measure for activity.  A friend hung this motto on his wall, "Results is the ONLY excuse for activity."  It sounds obvious, but amazingly few people are really results-oriented.  Most are satisfied with activity and best effort.  They forget there are no medals for exertion.

The best way to stay results oriented is to keep asking, "What am I really trying to accomplish?"

Too many talk about how hard they work, how many miles they travel, how tough the job is, and expect appreciation for this activity, regardless of outcome.

One of my friends listened to a young executive detail the difficulties of his assignment - ad nauseum.  Finally, he interrupted and said, "Show me the baby- don't tell me about the labor pains."  Was that discourteous?  Not at all.  He was teaching a valuable lesson ---- results, not activity.  Few really learn the difference.

During the second world war, my department included the military manning table.  Maxey Jarman asked me to get up a comprehensive summary form for his information.  What a challenge for a young, ambitious executive.  My chance to impress him with my thoroughness!

Consequently, I made a large, perfectly-constructed chart.  I waited for the meeting with him and the other officers.  I waited for the perfect moment.  I stepped up to his perfectly clean desk, and slid the chart across with great drama.  THIS was a chart!  It was extra large with multiple lined squares in neatly lettered boxes.  I was the clear winner in this meeting - or so I thought.

To my horror, without a word, he took his pencil from his shirt pocket, drew a large X from corner to corner, and wordlessly slid it back.  I realized at that moment, here was a man capable of desecrating a Rembrandt.  Before my brain could engage I blurted out, "Mr. Jarman, I was up until 3:00AM working on that." His response?  "I am sorry to hear that - I really believe you could have done a lot better in a lot less time."

I imagine modern management theory would consider this an illustration of poor human relations.  But, I felt his pencil stroke taught me more graphically the importance of results over activity than anything other one experience I can remember

To this day I still retain the habit of asking myself each and every morning, "What are you really trying to do today?" 

Ask yourself this week: 1) What are you trying to do today? 2) How do I substitute activity for results? 3) How can I share this lesson with my family, my colleagues, and my friends?

Words of Wisdom:  "What is the object of the exercise?"

Wisdom from the Word: "So then they said to him, "What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?" (John 6:28 NET Bible)