In a dynamic world with many unanticipated issues striking us as professionals and our businesses, quick assessment, analytics and decision-making are critical to survive and thrive.
Being proactive is the way to stay ahead and stand out from the rest. But what is the key to being proactive? The answer is becoming a powerful observer. By observing how we as well as others do things, we will spot opportunities for improvement. The more we observe, the more opportunities we will find. We can then work to provide solutions for some of the problems.
By becoming a keen observer, we will recognise the problems people face and have a first-mover advantage – certainly before your competitor does. Good leaders are always good observers which provide the right direction to the team. Personally, the ability to become a powerful observer of yourself and your behaviour is a vital step in changing your behaviour and emotional reactions.
Sometimes we are so accustomed to doing things a certain way and can no longer see it as being inconvenient. It is up to you to spot opportunities for improvement. There are many things which look ordinary on the surface but have some hidden opportunities beneath. When you observe even the seemingly normal things, you uncover things you would have otherwise not seen.
Observe how you and other people observe routines and discover the details you overlooked before. This can improve your contribution with more comprehensive solutions to issues.
Observe competitor behaviour
Ideas for improvement could arise by not only observing how people work but also observing how your competitors work. Is there something that you can learn from them? If in the affirmative, then don’t hesitate to implement it.
To get a broader perspective of a problem, you should go to different places and observe how different people do things.
By such observation, you will see different dimensions of the problem and then come up with better solutions.
New ideas should be recorded as soon as possible.
Otherwise these ideas may disappear, never to return. Missed opportunities can be too costly, given the level of cut throat competition experienced in the super-fast world today
Move away from
emotional injury
By having a central place to collect problems, problems could be compared to find out which one has more potential to give rise to issues. Problems could also be classified to make them easier to browse.
Every now and then, the master list of problems should be reviewed to see the opportunities available. Following the review, one or two problems could be selected to work with. However, the best problems are those that are painful and solvable. Eventually, you can take action on the problem you choose to find a solution.
By being a good observer, you will have a head start in coming up with a solution, and gain a deeper understanding of what is driving you and your business and the end response. With this clarity you’ll find expansion and space. The more you observe yourself without judgment, the more self-knowledge you obtain. This understanding will lead to the response.
This ability will lead to important information that will help to learn about why you are the way you are and how you are in the world. This creates the choice to change what you don’t like.
Being an observer you can look at your part in everything. Becoming mindful enables clarity and the response from others. You no longer will blame yourself because you understand your part.
