IN THE RING OF LIFE: NO ONE IS INDISPENSIBLE BUT BE EXCEPTIONALLY RELEVANT

There is a popular belief that, no one is indispensable in life. Indeed, there are many situations in which people who were once considered a core part of the value chain of a business or institution suddenly become extinct. This may be caused by sickness, transfers, resignation, dismissal or even death. Irrespective of the reasons why you may have to exit from a business for example, it is important to consciously build a niche of excellence for yourself. This will add significant value to you as a person even as you leave an unforgettably positive impression on your team or employers. Here are some ways in which you can make yourself a valuable asset for a business or the institution where you find yourself.

1. Execute tasks with utmost diligence. Do not rest on your oars and offer lackadaisical output because you are already on a payroll. Approach every activity or task assigned to you with excellence. Ensure that your final delivery is the best option you have to offer. Until you are content that your work has the “wow” factor, do not present it; keep improving upon it.

2. Learn other soft skills. The world is constantly evolving and there is always something new to learn. Make it a habit to try new soft skills as much as permissible by your schedules. Invest time to improve your skills using every minute resource at your disposal. It may be your laptop, mobile device or anything that interests you. Explore applications that can create new things. Be curious and engage your mind at every opportunity.

3. Be versatile. It is important to improve yourself in your chosen field of specialisation as this can help nurture you to eventually be an expert in the field. Nonetheless, it is equally beneficial to learn about other fields alien to your area of focus. This is important to help you easily adapt and adjust to perform different functions as well as fill any void that could occur at the workplace on short notice. Serving as an emergency substitute makes you relevant and key to the growth of any institution or business you operate in.

4. Challenge yourself. Challenging yourself means that you mindfully resolve to deal with any obstacles that may hinder your productivity and for that matter your progress. It also entails the intentional choice to deliver outputs which is above the normal as much as practicable. However, this is not a call to over burden yourself needlessly and break down. Learn to manage expectations of yourself and take breaks when you feel tired or stressed.

5. Observe your surroundings and initiate change. Positive change makes our environment and life brighter, better and beautiful. You should be able to cultivate the habit of keen observation of your environment and innovatively propose initiatives to liven it. This will create room for a refreshing atmosphere for you and others you work with. It may not necessarily involve major changes but a gentle touch of newness can make a world of difference.

It can easily get tiring and boring to work in the same environment for many years. Sometimes, stress and even depressive mood may set it. It is therefore important to purposefully practise innovations to make you exceptionally relevant. You may not keep the same position for a lifetime but until your exit, be an asset!