Multi-talented or multi-profession

I meet people every day of my life. Maybe this is because I do training and I speak to crowds practically 6 days a week. Sundays I go to a huge church that gathers thousands of people every meeting. This is why I meet people all the time.

Some people sort of know me. One would approach me with a smile on her face and say, “Excuse me but aren’t you Francis Kong, the speaker?” If the person looks friendly and bubbly I would reply, “Yes mam, been for a long time…..” That would bring a smile on her face. And then some would come to me and say, “You must be Francis Kong, the newspaper columnist?” Others would say, “I have read your books sir. You are Francis Kong the author.” Now once in a while there will be people who would say, “Francis, I used to supply you with fabrics and accessories this is why I remember you,” all though people in this category are getting scarcer as I have left the garments industry some 7 years ago. And lately because of my appearance almost every Thursday morning in the short advice segment of the popular morning TV program Umagang Kay Ganda, people would call out my name on the streets and say, “Good morning po Sir Francis…kumusta na si Edu?” J

And so this got me thinking.

What is my profession? Am I a public speaker? An author? A newspaper columnist? A teacher? A business consultant? Maybe all of the above? What is my job description?

The world is changing. I do not consider myself as a man of multi-talent. But I do consider myself as a person of multi-occupation.

The days of “doctor” and “postman” are pretty much gone. It’s an entirely different world today. Which brings me to a sensitive question. Are you still clinging on to a job title?

Now here is another testy question. Do you still get irritated if you are asked to do a task that you feel is “Not in your Job Description?”

You need to wake up!

This is the age of Multi-tasking. So how in heavens name could anyone expect to work within one’s “job description?” And in case you haven’t noticed….doesn’t your job description include a tiny little item that says…. “and other jobs that may require you to do”?

This is why you need to be a well rounded person. Be adventurous. Accept challenge and make the best of your time by reading, listening to tapes, attending seminars, learning things and adding more value to you who are and what you can do.

While we’re at it, what is your job description? Is it a hopeful, optimistic, powerful document that gives you permission to explore new opportunities and to get something done? Or is it a defensive shield that makes it easy for you to identify what’s not your responsibility?

Here is another piece of advice. “It’s not about your job description dude! It’s about you. Don’t ever expect people to raise up your price if you have not raised up your value.

I guess all those years of reading books, (yet I am still reading a lot more today…) all those tapes I listened to (my ipod is full of them…..) and all those seminars I have attended…(will attend a lot more this year….) has contributed to the opportunity of having so many professions. Don’t talk to me about job descriptions but do talk to me about your desire to become more valuable as a person.

There are no menial jobs’ only menial attitudes.

Brian Tracy says this and we should never forget it: “You will always be paid in direct proportion to the work you do, how well you do it, and the difficulty of replacing you.”

(Francis Kong will be the lead trainer for the Dr. John Maxwell’s “Developing the Leader Within You” leadership program this March 17-18 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries contact Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. 632-6872614)