10 ways to make a difference

I was just reading this on yahoo's hot jobs and thought I would re-post it here as I liked the message. It is so easy, at least for me, to get bogged down in all the day to day stuff that needs to happen. Yet its important to take time to do do some of the things listed below. Just because something isn't listed in the job description doesn't mean it isn't important. Instead it seams sometimes to me that doing a good job involves lots of little activities / and tasks that aren't listed anywhere, but that you need to search our and discover.

Ten Ways to Make a Difference This Year
Debra Davenport

If you want to make 2007 your most satisfying year yet, consider this checklist of 10 ways to inspire you in your career and enhance your work-life balance. The simple suggestions below are meant to generate new ideas, stimulating you to think and act in ways that will not only benefit you, but our world as well.

Raise the bar. Expect more and deliver more. Speak up! Dress up! Raise your own personal standards. Don't settle for the status quo and don't accept mediocrity.
Get connected. Get out of the office, turn off the Blackberry and spend quality time with people, face to face.

Live true to your values. What's really important to you? Are your actions and communication in keeping with your core values? Clarity of purpose and intention catapult individuals to the pinnacle of their success.

Mentor someone. Reach out to a student, a budding entrepreneur or a new employee and support their efforts any way you can. They'll never forget you!

Ask for help when you need it. Cull an advisory board, get a mentor, work with a coach or hire a consultant. The most successful business people are surrounded by the best and brightest. Find them and bring them into your circle.

Take care of yourself. "Use it or lose it" is absolutely true. You can't climb the mountain to your personal pinnacle if you're out of shape, so resolve to get healthy so you can enjoy the journey as well as your ultimate destination.

Learn. Expand your knowledge and skills by taking a class, getting a degree or simply reading up on topics of interest. Every time you learn, you create new neural pathways in the brain. Not bad for just reading a book.

Get passionate. Get fired up about something -- a cause, a project, a new business venture or a political issue. Let's banish complacency in 2007.

Innovate. If you're stuck in the "we've always done it this way" mentality, there's no better time to get out of the quagmire and change your thinking. Try something new, even if it's just a different route to work.

Assess your career. Do you love what you do? Would you do it for free? If you can't wholeheartedly answer "yes," perhaps it's time for a change.

Here's to your success!

Debra Davenport, PhD, is an Executive Professional Mentor and the president of DavenportFolio, a licensed firm with offices in Phoenix and Los Angeles that mentors entrepreneurs and professionals. She is the creator of the Certified Professional Mentor designation and certification program and the author of "The Ten Commitments of Highly Successful People" and can be reached at debra@davenportfolio.com.