Becoming Irreplaceable

What is a trait that a lot of high achievers have, that most people don't?

The trait of becoming irreplaceable. That’s something all of us can become. Stick around to find out a few ways how.

Trait one: Exceed Expectations

When I was younger, I hated doing extra credit work in school. I would always be like “why?”

My mother would then explain to me that going above and beyond is something that would follow me later in life if I did it now. Often I didn’t understand but now I do. Understanding what you have to do is fine, but how can you exceed those expectations that your team, spouse, or even family has of you in order to make the thing better than before. Exceeding expectations isn't about people-pleasing; it's about elevating standards for ourselves and those around us, be it in professional settings, personal relationships, or family dynamics. It's a mindset that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Trait 2: Maintain a Great Attitude. Look, I know you get tired, I know you don't feel like it, I know people can get on your nerves. Trust me, I have been there. Honestly, don’t let it get you out of character. Always be the one to shift the energy when you walk in a room and make those around you love to be around you. There are people with great attitudes that I have met once and they left a great impression just by maintaining the frame of a great attitude.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said “A man's mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions.” Your attitude is the prism through which those ideas are refracted.

Trait 3: Continuous Learning is a must if you want to become irreplaceable. Not a day goes by where I don’t try to learn something new or something that will help push the needle of success. We are in the best time of information. Of course, be careful what you consume and to not just learn and never execute. But the intention of learning must be there. One of the stoics, Seneca said “There is no one more foolish than one who stops learning” Let's not be fools. Unless you like me and were born on April Fools, then that's different, moving on!

Trait 4: Be a Problem Solver. Don’t be like me when it came to math. I was never a problem solver. But you in life should always be a problem solver. Don’t just give up at the sign of a little push back. What are ways you can go around? Do it differently? In business as a leader I have to make sure that I am proactive about what could go wrong so I can lead my team in the right direction.Becoming a problem solver means looking beyond the obstacles, finding innovative solutions, and, when necessary, making executive decisions that steer the ship clear of potential storms

Trait 5: Play Offense, Not Defense. I played both offense and defense in football. I got to see what being proactive looks like on the offense and what reactive looks like on defense. Now for sports, this is fine. 

in life and business, adopting an offensive stance ensures we're not just reacting to circumstances but actively shaping them. It's about being ten steps ahead, stacking wins through foresight, preparation, and the relentless pursuit of progress. Intercept those trick plays that life throws at you, See what I did there? (Thats a football reference for those that don’t watch sports…ok.. im gonna keep going and wrap this up) 

Becoming irreplaceable intertwines these traits into a coherent philosophy of excellence. It's not just about being the hardest worker in the room; it's about being the most thoughtful, the most proactive, and the most dedicated to growth. As we journey through this exploration together, remember that irreplaceability is not a destination, it's a way of being.