A recipe for success - input vs output.

'Once you are clear with the process of input-output and its consequence, you become more careful with every choice and decisions with your life.'

Roshan Sharma.

In the professional world, we are measured and valued by our impact, results or contribution. I'll call this output.

Whether you're employed on a salary, or by the hour or you run your own business, it's important to remember that your output is what counts, not the hours you put in.

Output pays. Input doesn’t. 

It's easy to lose sight of this, but important not to.

If you forget that your output is what really matters, you can fall into the trap of spending time and energy on low-impact activities. In this case, although your input may be high, your output may not be.

Input and output don’t always correlate.

More work doesn’t always equal better results.

When you spend more time on tasks, projects and actions than you need to, your input might go up, but your output stays the same, or goes down…

Employed? You won't get a pay rise, a well done or a promotion because of the hours you put in.

Self-employed? Your business won't grow because of the hours you put in.

Your results are what count.

You can create and exist in 4 worlds:

1. Low-input, low-output

2. High-input, low-output

3. High-input, high-output

4. Low-input, high-output

Ask yourself:

In my work or business, which one of these states am I operating in?

Which of these modes would serve me best?

If you feel you're struggling to get the results you want, that's a clue. 

Most people I help are in mode 3. They are achieving lots, but their input is high, very high, so they are burning out. If you are achieving results through this method, it's draining. You cannot perform at your peak. You don’t have enough time to rest, recover and re-energise, physically, mentally or spiritually.

Over the years, I have always operated in the last two modes. But I learned:

• More sales calls didn’t always equal more sales

• More planning didn’t always equal more successful projects

• Longer newsletters didn’t always equal more engagement

These days, I only use the low-input, high-output approach.

Some ideas to help you tap into low-input, high-output thinking:

Test and learn.

Adapt.

Question your methods, try new ones.

Work smart.

Prioritise ruthlessly.

Choose works well over feels good.

Abandon perfect, choose effective. 

Ask yourself: what's the minimum input needed to achieve the outcome I want?