Career Advice: The Most Important Night Of The Week
CAREER ADVICE: THE MOST IMPORTANT NIGHT OF THE WEEK By Ramon
Greenwood
The reporter asked a routine question to begin his interview
with an internationally acclaimed marketing executive. He got a
surprising answer in return.
"To what do you attribute your highly successful career?" he
asked.
"Sunday nights," came the answer.
"Sunday nights? I don't understand what you mean."
"It's just common sense, when you stop to think about it," the
executive explained.
"I work hard every week from early Monday morning until late
Friday afternoon. From Friday night until about mid-afternoon
Sunday, I take care of personal things and I play hard. I
recharge my mind and body.
"Then I wind down the playing and devote Sunday night to
preparing for the work week ahead. I eat an early, sensible
dinner. I review the previous week - my wins and my losses.
Next, I go through my briefcase, reading everything that bears
on the coming five days. I concentrate on what I want to
accomplish during the week. I create my game plan. I set
specific goals. I write out a checklist with priorities for
myself. I prepare the same sort of list for my secretary. I
write various "please do" memos for my secretary.
"I even plan my wardrobe for the week and I polish my shoes.
That may sound a little bit strange. But don't laugh. I just do
not want anything to distract me from the important things I
want to accomplish.
"I make sure I read the Sunday newspapers and at least skim over
the highlights of the weekly news magazines. I know something
will come up about current events during the week, and I don't
mean to be caught mumbling and changing the subject.
"Finally, I go to bed, visualizing what I am going to accomplish
during the week. I get a good night's sleep.
"When I walk into the office on Monday morning, I am already
ahead of the game."
In a nutshell, this achiever was talking about simple planning
and preparation to make the best of his time, his energy - all
of his resources.
This common sense idea seems as obvious as the nose on your
face. But there are a great many people who don't act on it.
Doesn't this create a real opportunity for those who are
dedicated to building a winning career?
XXX
Ramon Greenwood is a former Senior Vice President of American
Express. For information about his E-Book on "boss
relationships" and to subscriber to his f*ee semi-monthly
newsletter contact him at ramon@commonsenseatwork.com