Don’t Get Complacent
In 2011, golfer Luke Donald won four tournaments and held the number one ranking to up to just two weeks ago when Rory McIlroy edged past him. Luke was the first golfer ever to win both the USPGA and European PGA tour money titles. So what did he do during the off-season? At the Northern Trust Tournament in February the announcers said he replaced 10-12 clubs that helped make him number one.
Despite coming off a record-breaking season, Donald, however, has yet to win a major. Winning one of the big four events is his goal in 2012. Professional athletes are constantly in search of a way to take their game to the next level. Some people might consider that changing 10 of 12 clubs after such a wildly successful year would be a mistake. But you continue to be a winner or a hugely successful professional without taking risks.
And that doesn’t just apply to sports. New technologies and trends constantly emerge in your professional world. Keeping informed about what’s new and not being afraid to be creative and take risks will keep your business fresh. Read trade materials, listen to opinions of the thought leaders in your industry, try new technologies. This demonstrates to the professional world in which you work that you are constantly striving to improve your game. And that translates into enhancing your personal brand and getting results.
No one stays number one by doing the same old thing year after year.
