DOING OR JUST DOING: Motivation

Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots to 6 Super Bowl titles. He is the current Head Coach for the University of North Carolina. He built a winning culture around the expectation that each player and coach would “do your job!”

I think there is a distinction between ‘doing your job’ and ‘JUST doing your job.’ When you are doing your job you are enthusiastically embracing expectations. You are excelling in the part of the task you do best. It is fulfilling your responsibility.

When you JUST do your job you are getting by. You do the minimum. You do what is expected to a lesser degree.

Marshawn Lynch was an incredible running back. He was selected to five Pro-Bowls. He played for the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Raiders. He was not a fan of the press. He did not like to make himself available for questions.

The opening night of Super Bowl is media day. All players are expected to be available to all members of the media.

The Seahawks appeared in the 2014 Super Bowl. On media day Lynch was expected to be there. And he was. He was present. However, to each question, he had the same response, “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmABbHSOTqQ).

He was JUST doing his job. He showed up…that was expected. He was there. He didn’t believe it was his obligation to answer questions.

Where he did his job was running the football. When he ran he would exhibit “Beast Mode.” No one was better. He would run over, around, and through opposing defenders. He could continue on his path forward with defensive players hanging on. It was an exciting sight to see.

In whatever profession you find yourself…do your job! Avoid the lure of JUST doing your job. When you do your job, instead of JUST doing your job, you will find more opportunities will come your way.