Another test of my hustle occurs when I am presented with a new opportunity. If an opportunity to have another call, take another meeting, send an email, follow up on a direct message or LinkedIn request presents itself, I must make a decision what to do with it. Often the response to the test is simply to do something or to do nothing.

If it relates directly to a priority and I do nothing I am not hustling. Pretty simple. I cannot say that this area of our business is critically important to me, yet when an opportunity presents itself I ignore it. The same goes for every aspect of life. If I claim to put something forward as important, that credibility goes quickly by the wayside if I let any chance to pursue it pass by. No matter how tired I may be or how difficult or uncomfortable a situation may seem at the time, it is a judgment of my hustle and my true priorities.

This concept is critical to success and driving the results we want. Hopefully everyone on my team understands their priorities and how they align with overall business success. Assuming those priorities are well placed a dogged determination to pursue every element and aspect to the end will very likely drive results.

Thus, the real trick is choosing the right priorities and keeping them limited in number and in scope. This way you know when to pursue something and when not to. It also prevents you from saying yes to everything, becoming distracted and burning out in a smoldering pile of ineffective activity.

This is not something I can just talk about, but must live. I cannot ask you to make the sacrifices and face the struggles if I am unwilling to do the same. It will be obvious to everyone exactly where my level of commitment and lies. I know you can see through it. I know my team sees it and can articulate their assessment. If you don’t believe me, just ask them. The answer will be shockingly accurate. You better believe they have an opinion of every one of their peers and direct reports as well.

So team, I’m not asking you to live this out by narrowing your priorities and pursue successful results in these priority areas.

I’m compelling you.