Let's get RADICAL
August 23, 2006 9:06 AM
Thank you all for your kind comments on the It Factor. It's prompted me to extend the concept into 'What Next', following your generous and valued contributions, and I've already started with a taster about RADICAL. So here we go then.
Let's get RADICAL, because getting to 'It' is really not that easy. It's straightforward and uncomplicated but not that easy. So I'd like you to work it out in stages; one step at a time and this is where RADICAL starts to kick in, because by doing this in stages I want you to benchmark (I hate using that corporate word...sorry) your progress and RADICAL is a just a simple framework that might help you to do that.
Where did it come from? I've really no idea, because I just made it up. Seriously, I just made it up earlier today. How it works is in two stages RAD and ICAL and when you can combine the two you'll have defined your 'It Factor'. Stage one is RAD, which stands for Review, Assess and Digest. This is what you do with the knowledge each day that you spend time on you. ICAL stands for Interpret, Choose, Appreciate and Learn, which is what you take from the experience of that accumulated knowledge.
So, start with Review which is a simple log of what you've done that day to determine your 'It Factor'; then Assess whether it was useful, helpful and valuable or wasteful, confusing and time consuming; and finally Digest what you want to take away from that day or discard it. In other words, a productive day thinking about you goes in the bank; an unproductive day goes in the bin.
Once you get into the discipline of doing this regularly you'll find that the more you do, the easier it becomes and better you are at doing it. You'll also start to become more ambitious, so just hold back a spell, because this really isn't the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. That may come later, if you're lucky. No, the next stage is one that you and only you can determine, because you'll know when you've run your course on RAD.
ICAL is what you're going to do with everything you've accumulated in your knowledge bank about you. And that involves the biggest and sternest test so far, which is being honest with yourself. The reflection in the mirror, if you will. So, Interpret what you've found out about you; in other words attach some meaning to it. Choose what you want to do about it; Appreciate and value the enormity of what finding out about you really means; and Learn that armed with that knowledge, that perspective and that self-belief, the World really is your oyster. That's 'It'. It's as simple as that.
'It's' your choice.
'It's' your life.
'It's' all about YOU.
So go and get on with it... Oh... and do please let me know how you get on, because I'm just the dumb schmo who writes this column.
Comments
Very good - RADICAL even. Its all about the process we go through, both in our work life and our personal life, which should go hand in hand.
Learn to like your self and the confidence will come.
Kate - August 23, 2006 12:06 PM
Hi Charlie
I have been reading your blog since it started and must say your approach is very refreshing.
There are so many people who will skirt round the point, but I like the fact that you just tell it like it is. This is really essential in recruitment because in the end we just want honesty if we are not good enough. When people dont tell me why I didnt get a job its not going to make me improve and by not improving the recruitment agency doesnt get there money at the end of it.
Sad but unfortunately the truth, its just lucky that I have the confidence to push on and find the right job for me.
Thanks again
Steve - August 23, 2006 3:04 PM
Good to hear from you Steve and Kate. Many thanks for your kind comments and contributions. This blog really wouldn't amount to anything without them.
You're the fuel that fires the engine !
Charlie - August 24, 2006 10:17 AM