How to Succeed 10X: Gibbs’ Rule #45 (Part 2)
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In Part 1 of this series, we shared a great practice to help you succeed 10X – ‘Your Top 3 Need-to-Knows’ and how to leverage this often overlooked pathway to success.
Today, we’ll turn to the very popular TV series NCIS for more success tips.
“Gibbs’ Rules” were created by Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the star of the TV series NCIS. Or to be technical, the show’s writers. . . The show boasted 20 seasons beginning in September 2003. I’m a Big Fan.
NCIS stands for ‘Naval Criminal Investigative Service’. In the show, there’s a team of four to six special agents. Like many series, the writers rotate people in and out of the show over time to spice things up. The writers have even killed off a character or two. The agents investigate murders connected to Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
NCIS star Mark Harmon plays Leroy Jethro Gibbs, leader of the NCIS Special Investigation Team that solves crimes – really murders.
Many other people must love the show too because there were 20 seasons. Not to mention the spinoff shows NCIS LA; NCIS New Orleans; and NCIS Hawaii. And now I understand NCIS Sydney (Australia) too.
A few months ago, my colleague Marc raved about ‘The Offer’ which is about the making of The Godfather movie. That led me to subscribe to Paramount Plus, my Third streaming service.
I watched the pilot episode of The Offer, which was very good. But alas, I happened to notice NCIS and took a detour. Perhaps you’ve done this too.
Now, I’m about to finish NCIS season 14. I enjoy the show, the cast and the murder mysteries a lot. The characters grow on you. Hopefully, I’ll finish the final NCIS episode soon so I can turn to more productive tasks. But knowing me, I’ll probably watch ‘The Offer’; nobody’s perfect (HA); thankfully, there are only 10 episodes in total.
Gibbs created a set of rules to live by, hence Gibbs’ Rules. There are approximately 70.
Let’s take a peek at:
Rule #45: “Clean up your mess.”
We could go in a bunch of directions with this, but let’s focus on success and how to succeed 10X:
Prioritize – set priorities. The tasks that you have to handle first. Tackle the tasks and projects that are likely to have the greatest impact on your life, well-being, happiness, income, net worth, business, etc. This will help you achieve more, create more value and succeed bigger, better and stronger.
When it comes to your job, be on the lookout for your company’s and bosses’ changing goals, objectives, needs and priorities. Or if you’re self-employed or run a business, your clients’. Needless to say, the world is changing at an ever-faster rate. Get ahead of the curve. Embrace change.
However, when you have a core mission or can identify one, stick with that! Organize your efforts and activities around that and ‘get it done’. Push the distractions aside. Do I really need to watch an episode of NCIS more or less every night. . .
At work or in business, take tasks OFF your boss’s or clients’ plate. Don’t “up-delegate.” Years ago, I worked with a guy named George who continually delegated tasks back up to his boss. He always had a story: “I am working on another project.” “This project isn’t my strong suit.” or whatever. Over time, those of us who took on more and more responsibility received raises, merit bonuses and promotions. George got left behind. . . Don’t “up-delegate.” Take projects and work off your boss’s plate. Don’t add work to their pile. If anything, delegate ‘down’ or perhaps laterally.
While you’re taking on more responsibility and tasks, be sure to perform your ‘day job’. I’ve seen people take on too much work and then they don’t complete all their assigned tasks that well. Or they miss deadlines, which is a bad thing. Finish your assigned tasks and responsibilities; then take on more.
In other words, prioritize, set priorities and be sure to complete your tasks and projects on time!
Assume more and more responsibility. But proceed slowly and methodically. Take on tasks you can reasonably handle, but stretch a bit. Then push yourself some more.
Step back for a moment. Analyze your company or your clients’ businesses. What gaps are there? What ‘messes’ could you clean up? How can you add more value to your team, organization or clients?
Handle things! When you see a ‘mess’ lying about, clean it up. Tie up loose ends. Get ‘it’ done. Always look to add extra value. That’s how you’ll advance your career, get a raise, merit bonus and promotion and build more wealth.
Take each project as far as you can go. Organize your questions and itemize the open tasks that stand between you and the finish line. Develop potential solutions. Ask your supervisor the questions. Agree on a plan of action and Implement.
Continually monitor and evaluate your performance.
Revisit your priorities regularly. Modify them as you complete more tasks and projects and as your goals and objectives and priorities change.
Take smart, well planned action.
Always look for new ways to grow, improve and add more value.
Of course, Gibbs’ Rule #45 and all the other rules relate to something going on in an episode.
But you’ll have to tune in to see them in action. Or take my word for it and devote your time to more productive endeavors.
As you might expect, Gibbs’ rules apply to life too.
We’ll be sharing more ways to help you succeed 10X in upcoming issues of Budget and Grow Rich®.
To Succeed 10X, bigger, better and faster, click here.
In the meantime, NCIS Season 15 is about to begin. Gotta run.
See you next week,
Arthur V.
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