January 5, 2026

Things they want

Column

If you do good work, people, customers, colleagues will ask you to do new things.

New things are … new, and most of us are intrigued and challenged by working them out, for the sake of the puzzle, and because new things can be more stimulating than the things we know.

Requests are flattering, and most of us like to help – a compelling combination that can easily lead you to jump in without first working out whether you have the time or the interest or an active desire to get involved. 

New things. Flattering things. Things they want.

Are they things you want? Are they on the main line or a distracting diversion?

Make sure it’s an active choice.

Don’t be so excited by the request, so enchanted by the new, that you plunge elbow deep without looking up.

Skippy strategy: Make active choices about when, how and if you get involved.

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Focus