While it can be more difficult to see initially, there is only one area of your life over which you have full control — yourself. While you will have many things happen to you, you are the only one that decides how you receive them, interpret them, and react to them.
The Perfect Role is Easy to Describe
It sits at the intersection of 'what I am effective at doing', 'what I enjoy doing', and 'what needs to be done'. Finding that spot, however, is much more difficult.
Leverage Your Superpower
Focus on your area of greatest impact, not your area of greatest effort. This is often difficult to see, because your greatest contribution is often something you do without even trying.
Others See You Better Than You Can
We see everyone else more clearly than ourselves, so ask people who have worked with you what you are best at, as they can generally see it more clearly than you.
Work the Toolbox
Everyone has a 'toolbox' full of experience, but only some of us actively use all that we have. Take inventory of your toolbox from time to time. It's amazing what you can find hidden in there.
Lead, Regardless of Whether You Own a Team
I've heard people say that they'd like to be in a 'leadership role', but what they don't realize is that everyone already is (and it has nothing to do with people reporting to you).
Urgency is Not a Deliverable
Having an appropriate sense of urgency helps prioritize your tasks, but don't confuse urgency with delivery. Both are important, but only one of them has value on its own.
Know Your Sphere
We all have broad spheres of interest, but much narrower spheres of influence. Knowing the difference focuses energy where it can make an impact, rather than wasting it where it cannot.
Everybody Knows Things You Don’t
Everyone you meet has had many experiences that you have not and have been many places that you have not. Listening to them will make that knowledge available to you.