It Looks Like Luck...

Happy Friday, 

Having watched a lot of careers and companies move through a 40-year arc, clear patterns emerge that correlate with individual, team, and organizational success. Among other things, successful people share a seemingly insignificant but decisive little habit that no one ever talks about.

In addition to everything else they're obligated to do, i.e., emails and meetings, these people feel compelled to do something extra every day that moves the needle. They literally can’t go to bed feeling good if they haven’t done that extra thing.

Like what? Something unexpected or out of the ordinary that's positive. Things like randomly calling a client to see how a project is performing; writing a genuine, but unexpected thank-you note; showing up at a jobsite before dawn; casually visiting with someone unexpectedly; proposing a 'why not' in a meeting that forces everyone to think differently; carving out a few minutes to start learning a new skill; or reading material outside the profession to find ideas that might be applied inside.

Individually, they’re all just little things. But a lot of little things eventually show up in the numbers, quietly contributing to retention, loyalty, innovation, repeat business, and a great reputation.

Good things seem to just come out of left field, and it looks a lot like luck. In fact, people will say it's luck.

But luck in life, career, and business is less random and more likely the result of many small actions, each a leap of faith, a daily tithing to the gods, that accrue one day at a time.

Have a great weekend!

Dave

Feedback and blowback are always welcome: dave@goodnewsfriday.com

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