Reflection and Planning Using Sources of Personal Competitive Advantage / by Chris Foley

As 2020 comes to a close and the hope of a brighter day beckons, nearly all of us are thinking about what we could improve for 2021. Having the right goals to work on is important, as is developing the right mental models and organizational systems in daily life.

One of my favorite Twitter threads of all time is Shane Parrish’s question in early 2019 about things that could give one a personal competitive advantage:

The resulting thread was epic in scope, and looking through well over a thousand responses yields a sizeable snapshot of what people consider the attributes they either have or need in order to succeed. I collected elements that stood out from the many responses, arriving at a long list of things that could help me to stay grounded while navigating a changing landscape. This proved highly beneficial during the pandemic.

Putting together a list of this type could be useful to your own development. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Read through the thread and curate a list of things that 1) you’re good at as well as 2) you’re not good at, but need to work on given present circumstances.

  2. Look through the list you’ve made, highlighting avenues for future personal growth.

  3. Get to work on things you’ve identified.

  4. Revisit the original thread from time to time and to add or delete items that have become relevant or are no longer relevant. Then repeat steps 2 and 3.

Below are just a few attributes that I’ve found interesting to ponder, with a few thoughts on each:

  • Delayed gratification. Because of the pandemic’s inexorable spread, this can be a life-or-death ability. We all want to go out and see people, travel, and have a great time. But the downside is far greater than the upside when each social interaction is a calculated risk. Therefore we must wait until the pandemic ends.

  • Network. When we’re in lockdown, it’s far too easy to fall into the trap of staying comfortable with one’s pre-existing connections. Knowing where to expand your network and how to connect with folks new to your acquaintance through the right online places is a genuine skill. In mid-2021 when we’re mostly immunized and life returns to some semblance of normality, in-person networking will become more important than ever.

  • Ability to learn/adapt. I was fortunate to have already learned how to teach online a year before the pandemic hit. So when early March came around, I had to apply the same teaching model, but scaled upwards for an entire studio of 50, and only a few days to organize the switch. Previously niche tech skills in music education (such as knowing the best music studio management software, USB microphones, how to set up multiple cameras in a studio, and how to run online events) became par for the course. Those who learned the quickest were able to continue their work.

  • Ability to accept change. Also applicable in every profession, at all levels of society, and especially in politics.

  • Transparency and clear communication. At Foley Music and Arts, we've tried to be as clear as possible with all the changes to our studio policy. Larger companies may need to adopt a more measured approach with both employees and customers, while trying to become a “ghost ship” until things (hopefully) revert to normal.

  • Knowing how to manage your energy. For some reason, many of us haven’t got as much energy as before. Periods of reflection and idleness will help us to better harness what focused energy we do have throughout the day.

  • Focus. Stress and screens are sapping our potential to focus on what’s important. Check out Cal Newport’s work on how to cultivate the deep benefits of learning hard things.

  • Good mental health. With so many of us facing significant stress, one of the biggest lessons of 2020 was how we can cultivate sound mental health. Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s article on mental health budgeting is a good place to start.

Reflection on how to lead with your strengths and work on your weaknesses is a strong way to navigate change and get started on your projects for 2021. Best wishes to everyone for a healthy and safe holiday season!

(Image courtesy of Alexander Kovacs on Unsplash)