Invariably, on the days that I set out to be my most productive – the days I plan to shutter myself inside and get things done – whether its project work or blog-writing, something seems to go awry. In fact, as I sit to write now, well – life is happening in the background. Complete with all its noise, chaos, motion and emotion.

Whaaaat? You’re going to try to tell me that a man whose made a fortune singing about beaches, pirates and margaritas has more to offer? Well…yes. Maybe it’s just because I miss summer. Maybe it’s because I’ve been in too many intense meetings and need a break – but – whatever the impetus, I thought you’d enjoy a few pearls of Buffet wisdom:

I recently read The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. The book is a quick read, with many notable insights. The core of the book asks readers to identify what’s the ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary? 

Ever have one of those days (weeks? months?) when you sit and stare at your to-do list? The times when you go on line to look up one piece of information and thirty or forty five minutes dash by? The days you’d rather clean your desk than tackle your to-do’s? These, my friends, are stall tactics. Here’s a way to break the pattern.

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a “high ropes” course. Considering myself relatively healthy, agile and adventurous, I opted for one of the more challenging climbs. As I made my way up…and saw the ground was – in fact – much further away than what it had seemed, I realized that there are some parallels to my ropes adventure and our careers.

Amazing how that simple turn of phrase can have a tremendous impact, isn’t it? In our world of back-to-back meetings and jam packed personal and professional to-do lists, it’s easy to stay busy. The late Stephen Covey reminds us and asks: are you working on the things that are the most important?

#4 Together – Many of us are high-achievers. In fact, it’s likely your personal drive, intelligence and passion that have gotten you to where you are today.  You’ve built a successful career through skill and hard work. Basketball great Michael Jordan had it right: talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships.

Talent – really? Top of the list – really? YES. In today’s completive global markets, accessing the best talent is THE distinguisher for companies that will succeed or fail. Your ability – as a CEO or a manager – to identify, develop and retain good people will shape the company.

Careers and career development do not follow a one size fits all model. In today’s world of evolving business priorities, changes in organizational structure and multiple managers in a given career timeframe, no one will watch your career more effectively than YOU.