Ep #92: From Good to Great: The Secret to being Exceptional

Imagine standing out in your field, not just as another competent professional, but as an undeniable force that cannot be ignored.

Today, I want to share the secret behind making that leap.

Whether you’re navigating a career shift, striving for leadership, or simply pushing the boundaries of your personal growth, this is your blueprint for greatness.

So, buckle up—because we're about to embark on a journey from good to great, uncovering what it really takes to be exceptional.

To be exceptional, we need to take control of how we show up and the standards we set for ourselves. There’s a saying I love: "Be so good that they can't ignore you." It places the power back in our hands, allowing us to decide our paths and the heights we wish to reach.

Of course, a crucial part of this is visibility. Especially as women, we need to proudly claim our achievements and own our accomplishments. Otherwise, we can fade into the background and become a stepping stone for other people to reach their goals.

Another important lesson is to stop waiting for permission. Exceptional people don’t wait to be asked; they step into roles and drive impact because they can and because they want to. If you’re here, reading this, I imagine you’re one of those driven individuals.

So how do we break through the barrier of being just good to step into greatness and exceptionalism?

The first part of this journey is recognising where we are at this moment. This involves understanding our strengths and recognising our weaknesses from both our perspective and the feedback of others. This can feel daunting, but it’s necessary. Most people go through life with blinkers, preferring not to face harsh realities. But true greatness comes from taking the good, the bad, and the ugly and using it to fuel forward progress.

Being exceptional isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about showing up every day, regardless of how you feel and consistently putting in the effort to improve by even just 1%. This incremental improvement compounds over time and leads to significant progress.

One strategy I’ve embraced is Alex Hormozi’s rule of 100. Spend a hundred minutes each day or perform a hundred actions that target a key area for improvement. For example, if you aim to build your network, reach out to 100 people daily. I know it sounds intense, but this commitment to repetition is what drives excellence.

For me, I made a commitment to wake up at 5:15 am every day to exercise. It was difficult to begin with but now that I’ve been going for months it’s become a normal part of my routine. Seeing the progress, I’m making and enjoying the benefits of this change has made it easier and more joyful.

No matter where you are or your circumstances, you can become excellent. It’s about reflecting daily, challenging our beliefs, and changing our habits and behaviours to ones that serve our goals. This transformation allows us to step into an impactful career confidently and maintain a well-rounded life outside of work.

So, what is the one thing you need to focus on to move the needle in your career? Is it a habit, a behaviour, or a skill you need to develop? I’d love to hear what your focus will be, so drop me a note on LinkedIn. I’ll be there cheering you on, knowing that with focus and commitment, you will be exceptional.