How you can be more productive than what you alone can do

I cannot thank you enough for always reading through this leadership, business and life changing column. On the condition that you have been applying what I do consistently and weekly share here, at this time of the year, everything about you—is supposed to have become better than it was when this old year was just coming out of the womb of time. The goal of this column is to bring the entire nation of Nigeria and the rest of Africa under the influence of life, leadership and business principles that work at all times.

As the year 2017 is headed for the bed of time in a few days from now, I want to put a powerful principle in your hand that shall change everything about you in the year 2018. A year ago, I shared a very powerful principle here that the succeeding and successive year always begins three months before it actually begins. In other words, 2018 began three months ago! Those who understand this powerful principle are going to lead the pack in 2018. If you wait till 1st January 2018 before you enter into 2018, you’d follow while those who started three months ago lead. Kindly look for this article and read through it: “2017 started three months ago!”

That said, in 2018, you can achieve results that are more than what you alone can make happen. How do I mean? This is it: There is one more critical choice you can make in blowing the cap off your capacity. I actually deliberately decided to save this best wine for this time, because it may be the choice that will most quickly multiply the impact of all other choices you are going to make in the coming year.

The essence of what I am trying to pass on to you is contained in a quote often attributed to Mother Teresa: “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” This is a very powerful principle. What is being described in the quote is partnership—your choice to collaborate with others. Remember, in this century, it is either you collaborate with relevant people or you suffocate.

I did learn this lesson when I did hit a wall in my personal productivity journey. I literally could not work harder, faster or longer. I was extremely maxed out. Yet I was far from where I wanted to be in every sphere of life. There was only one other choice available to me: Partnering with others. Everything about you is about to change for the better—forever, if you are going to put it into practice.

Andrew Carnegie said and I quote: “It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone.” I can assure you that if you desire to multiply your effectiveness, you need to work with others. In recent times, I went to speak at a conference and I did zero in on the issue I am addressing here and after my session, virtually everyone—who listened to me said that they had not been working with others—relevant people. They confessed to me that they had been living their life alone, hence their not being maximally productive in life, business and leadership.

Many do not believe in partnerships. This will make me to ask you this pertinent question: Do you believe in partnerships? Do you develop them? If you do not recognize how powerful they are, then do this: Work hard on something for a long time by yourself. When you have maxed yourself out and can do no better anymore, bring in a few qualified people and ask for their help. You will be both humbled and blessed. Humbled by how quickly they can improve what you were doing, and blessed by how much they can improve what you are doing alone.

If you are not partnering with good people right now, you are not even close to reaching your capacity. Ask yourself these questions: When was the last time you asked someone to make you better? When was the last time you realized—someone could make you better? When was the last time you craved a fresh perspective from others? When was the last time you tapped into the thinking of someone else? When was the last time you asked for others’ advice and opinions? When was the last time you got better because someone made you better? When was the last time you gave credit to others?

Having partners is like adding one plus one and coming up with three. Efforts can only be multiplied by relevant partnerships. Relevant partnerships gear companies up, not winding them down. In partnerships, you give an idea to others and you receive better in return. But to enjoy great partnerships, you need to be a great partner. If you want to partner up with others, then be the first to meet them where they are. Find common ground, and place their agenda at the top of your agenda. In essence, become a servant-leader, and measure each day by the seeds you sow more than by the harvest you reap.

Lastly, adding value is the only way a partnership will work. Partnerships begin to disintegrate when one person starts receiving more than they are giving. A Chinese proverb says: “One may be a leader for a time, but by helping others succeed, one will be a leader forever.” Remember, the only way that you will be given an opportunity to partner with others tomorrow is to add value to them today. If you want to be a good partner and benefit by increasing your partnership capacity, you need to add value to your partners. If you can work this principle out in shoe-leather, you are going to achieve more results next year than you have achieved so far this year. I do wish you a happy and prosperous year 2018!

See you where great leaders are found.