Okay, now it is your turn

Okay, now it is your turn…

They did it!! The Springboks are the World Champions AGAIN! The first-ever team to win the cup four times, from only eight attempts. This team is arguably one of the two best teams to have ever played in the professional era.

Now, we believe, the focus has to shift to us. The other 60-odd million South Africans that don’t play for the Boks. This group of world-beating men and women have convinced us (again) that we are capable of incredible things. Let us not miss the opportunity to use this momentum to our collective benefit.

But how, you might ask?

From the top of my head, we (and I definitely include myself here) could probably pay more attention to the following areas:

• How we treat and respond to each other. At home, on the road, at work, on social media, at the store – the temperature and cohesion of a nation is determined by every single interpersonal interaction. I am convinced that no smile, patient answer, kind word or dignified interaction is ever wasted on another.
• Taking positive action. South Africans rightly have a lot to complain about and we are great at it! What can unfortunately result is the mistaken belief that words are the same as actions – almost like talking about a problem is the same as solving it. Many (if not most) problems cannot be solved by talking alone – rather they require taking positive action. Let’s start where we are: in our own family, home and business. If something is not the way it could be, take one positive action today to start making it better. There are so many fantastic stories being shared about regular citizens getting involved in their local communities and fixing services and infrastructure that have been neglected for decades. These are great examples of what can be done if we just start.
• Upping our game. This one requires each of us to ask a very challenging question: “Am I doing my best, really?” I can honestly tell you that I do not always do my best. Although I would like to, there are times when I get lazy, tired or bored. But doing your best does not rely on how you feel. Rather it is an attitude. A conscious, deliberate choice. I’ve watched the World Cup final four times since Saturday night. The level of commitment shown by those Boks to defend our line had nothing to do with how they felt, but it had everything to do with their attitude. They simply refused to let the All Blacks in. In whatever you do (every meal you cook, every email you send or document you produce, every meeting you attend or every kilometre you run) do it to the absolute best of your ability. Let’s make every rep count!

What else would you add to this list? We would love to hear from you, so please let us know how you are planning to use this momentum to our collective benefit.

If you want to help your team become world class we would love to help, get in touch. You can reach us at info@purposeworks.co.za.

At PurposeWorks we are all about Making You and Your Work Rock. Our focus is on Organisational Health and Design, Employee Centered Culture, Leadership Development and Performance Coaching. For more information on how we can help you create a work environment that rocks, develop a great team, become an inspiring leader or unlock your personal excellence talk to us at info@purposeworks.co.za.