Boost Your R-Factor
Sitting down with a group of close friends, you share the ups and downs of life. You discuss the horrible day you had last week, and the absolutely terrific meal you enjoyed last night. As the chat ensues, the things that are discussed are those that merit conversation. Those things that are remarkable that have the "R-Factor."
You probably don't discuss the average, mundane, or expected. An everyday experience with a company, a ho-hum product, or a predictable interaction with a colleague doesn't really deserve a remark. This category - the unremarkable - is where too many companies and careers languish. Not horrible, not spectacular, just mailing it in. While this bare-minimum approach may have worked in the past, it most certainly no longer qualifies as a winning plan in our hyper-competitive times.
Merriam-Webster defines the term remarkable as "worthy of attention; striking."
The uncommon. The extraordinary. The outlier. The exceptional. Our world rewards the R-factor with abundance, while those that fail to display it are relegated to scarcity. The good news: we all have the R-factor, even if we don't currently exhibit it. The R-factor is part of who we are as human beings, and within the grasp of each of us. It may require extra effort, but your R-factor awaits.
With this in mind, consider a simple yet powerful test: as you go through your daily work, ask yourself if your efforts are remarkable or simply competent. Before sending that email, ask if it goes above and beyond expectations, in terms of both substance and style. When you submit that big report due next week, will you merely deliver what was asked or will you add something special to make it memorable? When attending a meeting, are you slouching and just getting by or do you show up fully, ready to contribute exceptional value?
Before hitting send on a text, delivering a proposal to a client, or taking the stage at an industry conference, run your actions by the R-Factor Test. Are your proud of your work product, knowing that others will remark about your contribution? If not, give it one more pass. Push yourself to add something extra, so that it reflects your greatness and truly merits remark.
Your R-factor could be adding a surprising twist, delivering beyond the request, ensuring total clarity, showing uncommon attention to detail, or adding a level of service and professionalism that rises above the pack. It could be a dash of humor, a hint of beauty, or a sprinkle of unexpected value. Simply running your effort through the R-Factor Test on a regular basis will elevate your game to a whole new level.
There's little room in our competitive climate for me-too's, also-ran's, or bare minimum's. But the world craves - and will pay handsomely for – remarkable.
You already have the R-factor. Now is the time to use it. Commit to delivering remarkable on a consistent basis, and you'll enjoy the rarified air of remarkable success.
This message brought to you by the letter "R".
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