365 Exciting Ways to Live - Excitement # 49 - Benchmark Your Skill Level

Benchmark Your Skill Level

Some people don't like competition because it makes them work harder, better.

– Drew Carey

If you are an instrument player or a racer, will you not compare your instrument or the vehicle with that of your competitors? These are mere external comparisons of the hardware we use to make our living or to pursue our profession and hobby.  

We should also compare and evaluate the basic skill set which we have, in order to be the best in our chosen field. In the era of global competition, anything which is not internationally marketable cannot exist. In order to be internationally competitive, we should have international skill level. If you are a golfer, you should have the skill an international golfer has. If you are a writer, you should have the writing skill, which an international writer has. The same applies if you are a marketing manager or a finance manager.

Today, list three basic skills, which will decide your edge over others in your chosen field. Benchmark your skill with that of the legend and assess the gap. Then chalk out an action plan and strategy to narrow the gap.

Do it sincerely and watch your expertise grow!

(From my book '365 Exciting Ways to Live')

N C Sridharan

www.thetimefoundation.com

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Acquisition, maintenance and development are different!

Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own?
Bruce Lee
Last week I happened to visit an old farm house of my friend which he acquired some five years ago. I remembered the keen interest he showed when he acquired. Now I noticed that the property has become very old with bush with full of cobwebs.

We acquire many things in our life. We acquire knowledge, skill, experience, property etc. but, acquisition is just one part. What is even more important is constantly reviewing the relevancy of what we acquired.
We should have the ability not only to acquire, but also to discard and undo and redo something we have done. This is part of the self development portfolio.
Take a look at the following check list:
•    What new skill you acquired in the past five years?
•    What knowledge you acquired in the last five years?
•    What experience you have acquired over the years?
•    Are these relevant anymore?
•    If you have to completely re-profile yourself, what should you discard?
Remaining current and relevant is very important. Any company which does not re-invent itself in every ten years will not exist.
The same applies to us also!
N C Sridharan
www.thetimefoundation.com
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