2016: Are you going to major in the minor?

Welcome to 2016” and “happy new year” pleasantries would have topped your most used phrases by the end of this first work week of the year.

As we settle into our routines for the next 360 days with good intentioned resolutions and goals, it’s important to not slip into the zone of normalcy or get sucked into a state of monotony.

The use of tennis analogy is apt in explaining majoring in the minor.

According to Wikipedia, “the Grand Slam tournaments, also called majors, are the four most important annual tennis events. They offer the most ranking points, prize money, public and media attention, the greatest strength and size of field. The Grand Slam itinerary consists of the Australian Open in mid-January, the French Open in May and June, Wimbledon in June and July, and the US Open in August and September. Each tournament is played over a period of two weeks. The Australian and United States tournaments are played on hard courts, the French on clay, and Wimbledon on grass”

All tennis professionals set their eyes on the majors and are not termed world tennis champions until they win at least one of these four majors. There’s every reason to major in the majors! To be a leader in that space tennis players give it their all.

Bringing this back to the leadership space and focusing on the workplace, the big question is why do you major in the minor at work? What makes it okay in the workplace?

Is it habitual or do we feel the need to create a preamble with our inactions? Or is it just our style of ensuring “all protocols (are) observed”?

Is it a case of being ill-prepared and not adequately planning or preparing for situations, events, meetings and opportunities? It’s probably someone else’s task and definitely not your fault so let someone else sort it out.

Turning in a poor and ill-prepared report or task is majoring in the minor.

Not being concerned about your employees but wanting the best from them is majoring in the minor.

Not figuring out the type of foundation needed in your property but going ahead to pick the colours of the rooms is majoring in the minor – you get the point.

Plan and focus on majoring on major things this year.

What’s the focus? What’s your focus? Is it just going through the motions? Same actions, same results. Not translating actions to results can be likened to not setting your eyes on the grand slam titles.

So what’s it going to be this year? A major focus on your career, leadership journey, annual plan, performance agreements or business goals would earn you grandslams in 2016. Guaranteed.

Allow this settle in your consciousness, set your eyes on the majors today and get started. #Deuce.

Ngozi Adebiyi is the Lead Consultant at OutsideIn HR & Career/Leadership Coach @ OutsideInCoach. Our focus is practical interventions that address the challenges of businesses today. We specialise in HR Business Partnering & Leadership Development with the goal of revolutionising HR in Nigeria & consciously unleashing inner greatness! Ngozi@outsideinHRng.com